Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
कार्यं सूत्रद्वयं पादे जङ्घामध्ये तथापरं जानौ सूत्रद्वयं कार्यमूरूमध्ये तथापरं
kāryaṃ sūtradvayaṃ pāde jaṅghāmadhye tathāparaṃ jānau sūtradvayaṃ kāryamūrūmadhye tathāparaṃ
On doit placer deux cordons de mesure (sūtra) sur le pied ; de même un autre couple au milieu du mollet. À la rotule, placer deux cordons ; de même un autre couple au milieu de la cuisse.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Step-by-step placement of measuring cords to transfer tāla proportions onto the icon’s limbs during carving/casting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sūtra-nyāsa for pāda–jaṅghā–jānu–ūru (cord placements)","lookup_keywords":["sūtra-nyāsa","pāda-māna","jānu-māna","ūru-madhya","jaṅghā-madhya"],"quick_summary":"Gives a procedural sequence for placing paired cords at key limb points (foot, mid-calf, knee, mid-thigh) to standardize measurements while constructing the icon."}
Concept: Kriyā (procedure) safeguards śāstra-pramāṇa (scriptural measure).
Application: Use repeated paired markings to keep symmetry and prevent cumulative measurement drift across limbs.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Pratima-Lakshana (Iconometry and sacred measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan wraps paired measuring cords around the foot, mid-calf, knee, and mid-thigh of a standing icon outline, creating evenly spaced reference bands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan applying paired white cords at pāda, jaṅghā-madhya, jānu, ūru-madhya on a standing figure outline, bold contours, minimal background, palm-leaf text nearby.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold highlights on the cords and ornaments, craftsman marking the limb bands, rich textile-like background, sacred workshop ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: figure with four marked bands, artisan holding measuring cord and stylus, fine shading and delicate borders.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature atelier: master and apprentice measuring a model, paired cords visible at limb points, detailed tools (calipers, cord spool), ornate margin illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sūtradvayaṃ → sūtra-dvayam; jaṅghāmadhye → jaṅghā-madhye; tathāparaṃ → tathā + aparam; kāryamūrūmadhye → kāryam + ūru-madhye.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa adhyāya 44: sūtra, tāla, aṅga-pramāṇa instructions (preceding/following verses)
FAQs
It teaches sūtra-nyāsa—where to place pairs of measuring cords on the lower limb (foot, mid-calf, knee, mid-thigh) as part of iconometric layout for an image or figure.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical śilpa/ वास्तु procedures—precise craft-instructions used by artisans for proportioning sacred forms—showing the Purana’s coverage of technical arts alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportioning of sacred forms is treated as dharmic craftsmanship: accuracy supports ritual efficacy, aesthetic auspiciousness, and the purity of worship conducted through properly made images.