Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
मेखलाषोडशांशेन खातं वा तत्प्रमाणज्ञः उच्छ्रायं तस्य पीठस्य विकाराङ्गं तु कारयेत्
mekhalāṣoḍaśāṃśena khātaṃ vā tatpramāṇajñaḥ ucchrāyaṃ tasya pīṭhasya vikārāṅgaṃ tu kārayet
Celui qui connaît les justes mesures doit pratiquer la taille ou l’évidement (recess) jusqu’à un seizième de la mekhalā (ceinture). Et il doit aussi réaliser l’élévation de ce pīṭha, avec ses éléments moulurés ou ornementaux (vikārāṅga).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Specifying fine fractional cutting relative to the mekhalā and adding ornamental moulded members (vikārāṅga) to complete the pedestal’s elevation profile.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Khāta by mekhalā-ṣoḍaśāṃśa and pīṭha-ucchraya with vikārāṅga mouldings","lookup_keywords":["ṣoḍaśāṃśa","mekhalā","khāta","ucchraya","vikārāṅga"],"quick_summary":"Execute a precise recess measured as one-sixteenth of the mekhalā, and complete the pīṭha’s elevation including its moulded ornamental members for a finished canonical profile."}
Concept: Sūkṣma-pramāṇa (fine measurement) as a mark of śāstric mastery
Application: Use small fractional standards (like 1/16) for finishing cuts and mouldings to achieve both structural neatness and ritual aesthetics.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra / Prasada-Lakshana (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master-builder points to a mekhalā band and indicates a tiny one-sixteenth recess; the pedestal elevation shows multiple moulded members stacked neatly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of pedestal mouldings with a master indicating 1/16 measure using finger-width scale, layered vikārāṅga bands, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented pīṭha with gold-leaf on mouldings, artisan measuring a small recess near mekhalā, luminous temple ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, sectional elevation drawing with moulding names implied, a highlighted 1/16 cut near mekhalā, precise linework and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect with calipers demonstrating tiny fractional cut, pedestal mouldings rendered with delicate shading and patterned borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mekhalāṣoḍaśāṃśena → mekhalā-ṣoḍaśa-aṃśena; tatpramāṇajñaḥ → tat-pramāṇa-jñaḥ; vikārāṅgaṃ → vikāra-aṅgam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 53.17; Agni Purana 53.19
FAQs
It gives a precise Vāstu proportion: the recess/cutting associated with the mekhalā should be made at a 1/16 measure, and it instructs how to set the pedestal’s elevation along with its moulded architectural members (vikārāṅga).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, measurable rules for temple/pedestal construction—showing it functions as a compendium of practical sciences like Vāstu-śāstra alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportion and construction of sacred bases (pīṭha) supports proper installation and worship; in Purāṇic ritual logic, accurate Vāstu aligns the shrine with order (ṛta/dharma), minimizing defects and enhancing the merit of consecration and worship.