Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
अङ्घ्रिपृष्ठौ स्फिचौ कट्यां यथाभागं प्रकल्पयेत् सप्तांशोनास् तथाङ्गुल्यो दीर्घं विष्कम्भनाहतं
aṅghripṛṣṭhau sphicau kaṭyāṃ yathābhāgaṃ prakalpayet saptāṃśonās tathāṅgulyo dīrghaṃ viṣkambhanāhataṃ
On doit façonner proportionnellement le dessus des pieds, les fesses et la taille selon la part qui leur revient. De même, la longueur totale se fixe d’après la mesure de largeur (viṣkambha), les unités de doigt (aṅgula) étant diminuées de sept parts.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Iconometric planning for sculpting/painting: fixing relative proportions of feet, hips, waist, and total height using viṣkambha (breadth-module) and aṅgula units.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Viṣkambha–aṅgula based proportioning of lower body and total length","lookup_keywords":["viṣkambha","aṅgula","pratimā-lakṣaṇa","kaṭi (waist)","aṅghri-pṛṣṭha (back of foot)"],"quick_summary":"Set the back of the feet, buttocks, and waist by their allotted shares; compute overall length from the breadth-module (viṣkambha), adjusting the aṅgula-count by a seven-part reduction as specified by the tradition/recension."}
Concept: Śāstra-based proportion (pramāṇa) as a means to manifest auspicious form (śobha/saulakṣaṇya).
Application: Use modular measurement (viṣkambha, aṅgula) to standardize icons across workshops and ensure ritual acceptability.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconometry and sculptural proportions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor’s workshop scene: a partially carved standing icon with marked grids; the artisan measures foot-back, hips, and waist with a cord and aṅgula scale; a breadth-module (viṣkambha) line is drawn across the torso to compute total height.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, artisan measuring a divine figure outline with a measuring cord, clear aṅgula ticks, calm workshop interior with palm-leaf manuals, flat decorative background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central standing icon outline with gold-highlighted measurement lines, artisan and assistant holding measuring rod, rich reds and greens, ornamental borders, subtle embossing on key measurement points","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram feel: clean lines, labeled aṅgula and viṣkambha marks on a figure, soft shading, delicate detailing of tools and manuscript","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with master sculptor using calipers and cord, annotated measurement lines on a figure, fine architectural interior, detailed textiles and tools, muted jewel tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्घ्रिपृष्ठौ = अङ्घ्रि + पृष्ठौ; यथाभागं = यथा + भागम् (अव्ययीभाव); सप्तांशोनास् = सप्त + अंश + ऊनाः; तथाङ्गुल्यो = तथा + अङ्गुल्यः; विष्कम्भनाहतं = विष्कम्भन + आहतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 45 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa sections on tāla/kalā/aṅgula measures)
FAQs
It gives śilpa-vidyā (iconometric) guidance: how to proportion key body parts (feet-backs, hips, waist) and how to derive overall length using standard measures like viṣkambha (breadth) and aṅgula (finger-unit).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical canons—here, sculptural/architectural measurement rules—showing its role as a compendium spanning ritual, arts, and applied sciences (vāstu–śilpa).
Correct proportions in sacred images are traditionally held to support auspiciousness and proper devotional focus; accurate iconometry is treated as a form of dharmic craftsmanship that helps ensure the image is fit for worship.