Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
चतुःषष्ट्यस्रकं कृत्वा वर्तुलं साधयेत्ततः कर्तयेदथ लिङ्गस्य शिरो वै देशिकोत्तमः
catuḥṣaṣṭyasrakaṃ kṛtvā vartulaṃ sādhayettataḥ kartayedatha liṅgasya śiro vai deśikottamaḥ
L’ayant d’abord façonné avec soixante-quatre facettes (ou côtés), on doit ensuite l’affiner en une forme circulaire ; puis l’excellent ācārya officiant doit former la « tête » (partie supérieure) du liṅga.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Technical guideline for shaping a Shiva-liṅga: roughing a multi-faceted blank and finishing it into a circular section, then forming the upper head (śiras) under an ācārya’s supervision.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Liṅga-nirmāṇa: catuḥṣaṣṭy-asra roughing and circular finishing","lookup_keywords":["catuḥṣaṣṭy-asra","liṅga-nirmāṇa","vṛttākāra","śiras","deśika"],"quick_summary":"Begin with a 64-faceted form to control symmetry, then turn/finish it into a circle; finally shape the liṅga’s upper head precisely as per ritual-architectural standards."}
Concept: Sacred form is produced through measured craft (māna) and disciplined procedure, not improvisation.
Application: Use stepwise geometric refinement (facets → circle) to ensure symmetry and ritual acceptability of the emblem.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya & Linga-pratishtha (Temple Architecture and Icon/Emblem Installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple sculptor-ācārya in a workshop shapes a stone liṅga: first a 64-faceted blank, then smoothing it into a perfect cylinder and beginning the upper śiras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, sacred workshop scene with an ācārya guiding artisans shaping a 64-faceted stone into a circular liṅga, ritual tools, calm sanctified atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual implements, Śaiva workshop with the ācārya (deśika) shaping the liṅga’s śiras, ornate borders, luminous sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clear instructional composition showing step-by-step: 64 facets → circular finish → beginning of śiras, fine linework, labeled measuring cords","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier scene with craftsmen turning a faceted stone into a circular liṅga, the master supervising, precise tools, architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥṣaṣṭyasrakam → catuḥṣaṣṭi-asrakam; kartayedatha → kartayet atha; deśikottamaḥ → deśika-uttamaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 53.6-53.9 (liṅga proportions, śiras shape, divisions)
FAQs
It gives a technical shaping sequence for a Śiva-liṅga: begin with a sixty-four-faceted form, finish it into a smooth circular profile, and then carve the upper ‘head’ portion under the supervision of a qualified ācārya.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical craft-and-ritual manuals—here, a precise iconographic/architectural instruction (Vāstu and pratiṣṭhā) that functions like a technical handbook for temple construction and installation rites.
Correct proportioning and ritually guided workmanship are treated as essential for a valid, auspicious installation; shaping the liṅga according to prescribed method supports purity of worship and the intended religious merit (puṇya) of consecration.