Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
ग्रीवा सार्धकला कार्या तद्विस्तारोपशोभिता नेत्रं विना तु विस्तारौ ऊरू जानू च पिण्डिका
grīvā sārdhakalā kāryā tadvistāropaśobhitā netraṃ vinā tu vistārau ūrū jānū ca piṇḍikā
Le cou doit être fait à la mesure d’une kalā et demie, et embelli par une largeur convenable. En excluant la mesure de l’œil, on fixera les mesures de largeur pour les cuisses, les genoux et les mollets (piṇḍikā).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fix neck measure (1.5 kalā) and distribute proper breadth for beauty; then set breadth measures for thighs, knees, and calves using a standardized scheme (excluding the eye-measure baseline) for consistent full-body proportion in icons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Grīvā-pramāṇa and Aṅga-vistāra: Ūru-Jānu-Piṇḍikā","lookup_keywords":["grīvā","sārdha-kalā","vistāra","ūru","jānu","piṇḍikā"],"quick_summary":"Make the neck 1.5 kalās with fitting breadth for elegance; then assign breadth proportions for thighs, knees, and calves according to the canon (computed without using the eye-measure as the breadth baseline)."}
Concept: Śobha arises from harmonized measures across modules (face vs limbs); the canon separates reference units to prevent distortion and preserve ideal form.
Application: When scaling an icon, treat facial measures and limb breadth measures as distinct proportional systems; set neck and lower-limb breadths by their own rules for balanced stance and visual stability.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A full-body icon diagram where the neck is marked as 1.5 kalās, and breadth bands are indicated across thigh, knee, and calf; a note shows that eye-measure is not used as the limb-breadth baseline.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, standing deity outline with highlighted neck and lower limbs, measurement bands painted in contrasting tones, traditional borders, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, standing Devī/Lakṣmī figure with gold-highlighted neck ornaments emphasizing grīvā proportion, subtle breadth markings on thighs/knees/calves integrated into decorative sashes, rich jewel colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic chart: front-view figure with labeled grīvā (sārdha-kalā), vistāra marks for ūru-jānu-piṇḍikā, clean annotations and proportional grid.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with a master showing a proportional scroll of a standing figure, neck and leg breadths marked, assistants preparing pigments and measuring tools, fine architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्विस्तारोपशोभिता = तत् + विस्तार + उपशोभिता; (तत् + विस्तार) तत्पुरुष, तत् + (विस्तारोपशोभिता) संधि; विस्तारौ ऊरू = विस्तारौ + ऊरू (hiatus).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 45 (aṅga-pramāṇa continuation: neck and limb measures)
FAQs
It gives iconographic measurement rules (pratimā-lakṣaṇa): the prescribed neck length in kalā units and proportional breadth guidelines for lower-limb parts, using standard iconometric units like netra and kalā.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical śilpa-śāstra—technical standards for sculpture and temple imagery—showing its role as a compendium of applied arts, architecture, and proportional science.
Correct proportions in sacred images are traditionally held to ensure auspiciousness and proper receptivity for worship (pūjā), supporting merit (puṇya) through accurate, dharmic craftsmanship.