Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
आयते नयने कार्ये त्रिभागोनैर् यवैस्त्रिभिः तदर्धेन तु वैपुल्यं नेत्रयोः परिकल्पयेत्
āyate nayane kārye tribhāgonair yavaistribhiḥ tadardhena tu vaipulyaṃ netrayoḥ parikalpayet
Lorsque les yeux doivent être allongés, on en formera la longueur avec trois yavas diminués d’un tiers; et avec la moitié de cette mesure on fixera la largeur des yeux.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Determine eye length and breadth for elongated eyes in sculpture/painting using yava-based proportional reduction; ensures consistent, graceful netra-lakṣaṇa in icons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Netra-pramāṇa for Āyata-nayana (Elongated Eyes)","lookup_keywords":["āyata-nayana","netra-pramāṇa","yava","length-breadth ratio","citra-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"For elongated eyes, set the length by a yava-based measure reduced by one-third, and set the breadth as half of that length—yielding a controlled, elegant eye proportion."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Beauty is systematized through ratio; the ‘ideal’ (saumya/āyata) is achieved by computable proportion rather than subjective guesswork.
Application: Artists can reproduce a tradition-consistent eye-form across media (stone, metal, paint) by using a fixed proportional algorithm.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra / Chitra-Lakshana (Iconography & Proportional Canons)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A diagrammatic rendering of an elongated eye with measured length and half-breadth, alongside an artisan applying the rule to a deity painting or sculpture face.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, close-up of Devī eyes being painted elongated, artisan’s hand with stylus, subtle measurement marks, warm ochres and reds, stylized lashes and lotus-like eye corners.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Lakṣmī/Devī face with prominent āyata-netra, gold accents on eyelids and ornaments, inset panel showing the proportional rule (length and half-breadth) as a decorative cartouche.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional plate: single eye enlarged with annotated measures (length reduced by one-third; breadth half), clean borders, soft colors, precise linework for students.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, painter in studio sketching an eye on paper with a fine brush, a small scale of yava units beside, delicate shading and meticulous detail on the eye contour."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिभागोनैर् = त्रिभागोनैः (रेफ-सन्धि/विसर्ग-लोप); यवैस्त्रिभिः = यवैः + त्रिभिः; तदर्धेन = तद् + अर्धेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 45 (netra, mukha, and aṅga-pramāṇa progression)
FAQs
It gives a precise shilpa-shastra rule for sculpting/painting elongated eyes: the eye-length is set using a yava-based measure (three yavas minus one-third), and the width is fixed as half of that length.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical canons of sacred art—standardized proportional measurement (pramāṇa) used in temple icons—showing its coverage of architecture, sculpture, and visual design alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportions in sacred imagery are traditionally held to ensure the icon’s auspiciousness and devotional efficacy; following prescribed pramāṇa supports dharmic creation of images intended for worship and merit-bearing consecration.