Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 19
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
भूमौ प्रविष्टमेकं तु भागैकेन पिण्डिका कण्ठं भागैस्त्रिभिः कार्यं भागेनैकेन पट्टिका
bhūmau praviṣṭamekaṃ tu bhāgaikena piṇḍikā kaṇṭhaṃ bhāgaistribhiḥ kāryaṃ bhāgenaikena paṭṭikā
Parmi les parts mesurées, une part doit être engagée dans le sol comme piṇḍikā (base du socle). Le col (kaṇṭha) doit être fait de trois parts, et la paṭṭikā (filet/bande de plaque) d’une part.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Allocating measured parts for foundation embedment and for the pedestal’s neck and paṭṭikā, ensuring correct structural anchoring and canonical moulding sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā, kaṇṭha, paṭṭikā: part-wise dimensions for embedment and mouldings","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍikā","kaṇṭha","paṭṭikā","bhūmi-praviṣṭa","bhāga"],"quick_summary":"Embed one part of the piṇḍikā into the ground for anchorage; make the neck three parts and the paṭṭikā one part—standardizing the pedestal’s vertical members."}
Concept: Ādhāra (support/foundation) as prerequisite for the sacred superstructure
Application: Prioritize correct embedment and member proportions to prevent tilt, cracking, and ritual inauspiciousness arising from faulty installation.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Iconography/Construction measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cross-section shows one part of the piṇḍikā sunk into the earth; above it the kaṇṭha rises in three parts and a paṭṭikā band caps a moulding tier.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cutaway earth section with embedded base, craftsmen aligning the kaṇṭha and paṭṭikā bands, bold outlines, ritual workshop setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, pedestal cross-section stylized with gold on paṭṭikā band, earth layer indicated, artisan performing alignment with plumb line, rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional cross-section with clear part divisions (1,3,1), fine brushwork, soft palette, emphasis on stability and alignment.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, engineers installing a pedestal into a prepared pit, one-part embedment shown, delicate rendering of tools and measured bands."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: praviṣṭamekaṃ → praviṣṭam + ekaṃ; bhāgaikena → bhāga-ekena; bhāgaistribhiḥ → bhāgaiḥ + tribhiḥ; bhāgenaikena → bhāgena + ekena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 53.15; Agni Purana 53.18
FAQs
It gives precise vastu/shilpa proportional rules: how much of the base is embedded into the earth, and the measured sizes for the neck and the paṭṭikā (molding/band) as parts of an icon/pedestal construction.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical canons of sacred design—standardized measurements used by artisans for images and architectural members—showing the text’s coverage of applied sciences like Vastu- and Śilpa-śāstra.
Correct proportions in sacred construction are traditionally held to ensure stability, auspiciousness, and the proper suitability of an image/structure for worship, thereby supporting ritually effective and merit-bearing devotion.