Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये प्रतिमालक्षणं नाम चतुश् चत्वारिंशोध्यायः अथ पञ्चचत्वारिंशोध्यायः पिण्डिकालक्षणकथनं भगवानुवाच पिण्डिकालक्षणं वक्ष्ये दैर्घ्येण प्रतिमासमा उच्छ्रायं प्रतिमार्धन्तु चतुःषष्टिपुटां च ताम्
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye pratimālakṣaṇaṃ nāma catuś catvāriṃśodhyāyaḥ atha pañcacatvāriṃśodhyāyaḥ piṇḍikālakṣaṇakathanaṃ bhagavānuvāca piṇḍikālakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye dairghyeṇa pratimāsamā ucchrāyaṃ pratimārdhantu catuḥṣaṣṭipuṭāṃ ca tām
Ainsi s’achève le quarante-quatrième chapitre de l’Agni Purāṇa, intitulé « Caractéristiques des images (règles iconographiques) ». Commence maintenant le quarante-cinquième chapitre : « Exposé des caractéristiques de la Piṇḍikā (socle/plate-forme) ». Le Seigneur Bienheureux dit : « Je vais décrire les traits définitoires de la piṇḍikā. En longueur, elle doit être égale à l’image ; en hauteur, la moitié de l’image ; et elle doit être construite avec soixante-quatre assises/couches (puṭa). »
Bhagavan (Lord Agni as primary narrator of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Pedestal/plinth specification for image installation: set piṇḍikā length equal to the image, height half the image, and construct with 64 courses—used for temple construction, stability, and canonical compliance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa (Pedestal dimensions and 64-layer construction)","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍikā","pīṭha","māna-pramāṇa","pratimā-samā","catuḥṣaṣṭi-puṭa"],"quick_summary":"For a canonical pedestal: match its length to the image, set its height to half the image, and build it with sixty-four courses/layers. This standardizes proportion, stability, and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Māna (proportion) as dharmic order in sacred construction; numerical structuring (64) as completeness in craft practice.
Application: Use these ratios as baseline specs in drawings/BOQs for pedestal fabrication and to audit existing installations for conformity.
Khanda Section: Pratima-Lakshana & Shilpa-Shastra (Iconography, Measurements, Pedestal/Plinth Rules)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati explains pedestal measurements beside a deity image: length equal to the image, height half, and a cross-section showing 64 layered courses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sthapati teaching with measuring rod and palm-leaf text, pedestal cross-section with layered bands, deity image nearby, earthy reds/ochres, clear geometric emphasis","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central icon on an ornate pedestal, gold-highlighted layered base suggesting 64 courses, craftsmen measuring with cords, decorative arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like scene: proportional marks on image and pedestal, layered cross-section rendered neatly, soft colors and precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural workshop with master builder indicating proportional rules, pedestal shown in cutaway with many layers, fine linework and patterned floor tiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति (यण्-सन्धि/अवग्रह-लोप); चतुश् चत्वारिंशोध्यायः = चतुः + चत्वारिंशः + अध्यायः; पञ्चचत्वारिंशोध्यायः = पञ्च + चत्वारिंशः + अध्यायः; भगवानुवाच = भगवान् + उवाच; प्रतिमासमा = प्रतिमा + समाः (पाठे ‘समाः’ बहुवचनं, ‘पिण्डिकाः’ अध्याहार्य); प्रतिमार्धन्तु = प्रतिमा-अर्धम् + तु; चतुःषष्टिपुटां = चतुः + षष्टि + पुटाम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa chapter conclusion); Agni Purāṇa 45 (Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa chapter opening and subsequent details)
FAQs
It gives shilpa-śāstra/temple-architecture specifications for the piṇḍikā (icon pedestal): its length equals the icon’s length, its height is half the icon’s height, and it is to be made with sixty-four construction layers/courses (puṭa).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa codifies practical technical standards—here, iconography and architectural measurement—showing it functions as a multi-disciplinary manual that includes Vāstu and Śilpa norms for temple worship.
Correct proportioning of the pedestal and icon is treated as essential for proper installation and worship (pratiṣṭhā/arcana), supporting ritual efficacy and the devotee’s merit by ensuring the deity’s seat and form conform to prescribed sacred standards.