Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
हयग्रीवोङ्कुशावाररेखो नीलः सविन्दुकः पृथुश्च्च्छिद्रश्चेति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः वैकुण्ठः एकचक्रो ऽब्जी मणिभिः पुच्छरेखकः
hayagrīvoṅkuśāvārarekho nīlaḥ savindukaḥ pṛthuśccchidraśceti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vaikuṇṭhaḥ ekacakro 'bjī maṇibhiḥ puccharekhakaḥ
Hayagrīva est décrit comme portant la marque de l’aṅkuśa (aiguillon à éléphant) avec des lignes de protection; il est bleu sombre, marqué d’un bindu, large, et présente aussi une perforation ou fente — tels sont les signes auspicieux. Vaikuṇṭha est décrit avec le signe du livre et de la lecture/récitation; il porte un seul disque et un lotus, et sa ligne terminale, telle une « queue », est ponctuée comme de gemmes.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Murti-lakṣaṇa-based identification of Hayagrīva and Vaikuṇṭha forms during installation (pratiṣṭhā), worship (pūjā), and icon commissioning; helps artisans and priests verify correct attributes/marks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hayagrīva–Vaikuṇṭha: auspicious marks and identifying signs","lookup_keywords":["Hayagriva lakshana","Vaikuntha ekachakra","bindu rekha chihna","ankusha chihna","pustaka patha chihna"],"quick_summary":"Defines distinguishing marks (rekhā/bindu/chihna) for Hayagrīva and Vaikuṇṭha, including ankūśa-sign, color, bindu, and attribute-signs like book/recitation, single cakra and lotus—used to correctly recognize and craft the deity-form."}
Concept: Deity-identity is established through lakṣaṇa (recognition-marks) and āyudha/cihna; correct form safeguards correct worshipal intent (saṅkalpa).
Application: Use lakṣaṇa-checklists to avoid iconographic error in commissioning, consecration, and daily pūjā; align dhyāna with the correct form-name.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of deities and auspicious marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A technical iconographic plate-like depiction: Hayagrīva and Vaikuṇṭha shown with highlighted auspicious marks—ankūśa-sign, bindu-dots, protective lines, and Vaikuṇṭha holding a single cakra and lotus, with a book/recitation emblem indicated.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat warm palette with deep blues; Hayagrīva and Vaikuṇṭha in frontal iconic stance; fine white linework marking ankūśa-chihna, bindu, and rekha patterns; Vaikuṇṭha holding cakra and lotus; subtle book emblem near hand; ornate floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with rich gold leaf halos and jewelry; Vaikuṇṭha with ekacakra and lotus, book emblem; Hayagrīva with emphasized ankūśa mark and bindu; embossed ornaments; dark-blue complexion; symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate shading and precise line annotations; instructional diagram feel with highlighted rekha/bindu marks on the body; labels implied by placement; restrained gold detailing; clean background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork and jewel tones; two deity-figures in a courtly setting with a scribe’s book motif; close attention to small bindu marks and line patterns; patterned textiles and margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हयग्रीवोङ्कुशावाररेखो → हयग्रीवः अङ्कुश आवाररेखः; पृथुश्च्छिद्रश्चेति → पृथुः छिद्रः च इति; एकचक्रो ऽब्जी → एकचक्रः अब्जी.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46 (Murti-lakṣaṇa / Samudrika-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana sections on Viṣṇu-mūrti-bheda and pūjā-vidhi (adjacent verses 46.8–46.11)
FAQs
It gives mūrti-lakṣaṇa—diagnostic iconographic marks (emblems, lines, colors, and signs like book/recitation, cakra, lotus) used to correctly identify and consecrate Hayagrīva and Vaikuṇṭha images in worship.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves practical standards of sacred art and ritual verification—how to recognize specific Viṣṇu-forms through prescribed symbols—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of temple practice, image-making, and liturgical precision.
Correct identification and installation of a deity-form is held to ensure ritual validity (yathā-vidhi pūjā), preventing misdirected worship and supporting merit (puṇya) through accurate devotion and consecration.