Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
वामनो वर्तुलश्चातिह्रस्वो नीलः सविन्दुकः श्यामस्त्रिविक्रमो दक्षरेखो वामेन विन्दुकः
vāmano vartulaścātihrasvo nīlaḥ savindukaḥ śyāmastrivikramo dakṣarekho vāmena vindukaḥ
Vāmana est de forme ronde et très petit; il est bleu sombre et porte un bindu nettement marqué. Trivikrama est de teint sombre; il porte une ligne du côté droit et un bindu du côté gauche.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Differentiates Vāmana and Trivikrama forms through body-proportion and mark-placement (rekhā/bindu), supporting correct sculptural proportions, painting, and pūjā-dhyāna identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vāmana–Trivikrama: proportion, complexion, and mark-placement","lookup_keywords":["Vamana atihrasva","Trivikrama shyama","daksha rekha","vama bindu","Vishnu rupa lakshana"],"quick_summary":"Gives quick identifiers: Vāmana is round and very short, dark-blue with a bindu; Trivikrama is dark-complexioned with a right-side line and a left-side bindu—used to distinguish the two avatāra-forms."}
Concept: One divinity manifests multiple avatāra-forms; form-difference is purposeful and ritually meaningful, hence preserved through lakṣaṇa.
Application: In festivals and icon sets, ensure Vāmana’s dwarf-proportion and Trivikrama’s distinct mark-placement to prevent misidentification in mantra/dhyāna and offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of Vishnu’s forms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-panel iconographic comparison: Vāmana as a compact, very short dark-blue figure with a clear bindu mark; Trivikrama as a taller dark figure with a right-side stripe and left-side bindu, posed in a stride-ready stance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diptych: left Vāmana small and round, deep blue, bindu marked; right Trivikrama darker, with a white/gold right-side stripe and left bindu; stylized stride motif; ornate temple-border patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vāmana dwarf-form with gold ornaments and halo; Trivikrama larger with emphasized right-side stripe in gold relief and a small gem-like bindu on left; rich red background, embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional composition with proportional grid hints; Vāmana shown short and round; Trivikrama shown taller with marked right stripe and left bindu; subtle gold and pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: comparative portrait study on a manuscript page; Vāmana small figure with bindu; Trivikrama in dynamic poised stance with a visible right-side stripe; fine textile and border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्तुलश्चातिह्रस्वो → वर्तुलः च अतिह्रस्वः; श्यामस्त्रिविक्रमो → श्यामः त्रिविक्रमः; दक्षरेखो → दक्षरेखः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46.11 (Trivikrama naming via cakra-count); Agni Purana 46 (Viṣṇu-form lakṣaṇa series)
FAQs
It gives iconographic diagnostics for carving/identifying Vāmana and Trivikrama images—body proportions (very short, rounded) and specific bodily marks (bindu/dot and right/left line-mark) used in temple installation and worship.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical śilpa- and pūjā-oriented specifications (murti-lakṣaṇa), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied temple arts and ritual standards, not only narrative myth.
Correctly forming and recognizing the deity’s sanctioned marks supports proper consecration and worship; accurate iconography is treated as enabling orderly devotion and the intended religious merit of pūjā.