Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
त्रिषु भागेषु सदृशमायामं यस्य चिस्तरः तद्विभागसमं लिङ्गं सर्वकामफलप्रदं
triṣu bhāgeṣu sadṛśamāyāmaṃ yasya cistaraḥ tadvibhāgasamaṃ liṅgaṃ sarvakāmaphalapradaṃ
Le liṅga dont la longueur et la largeur sont proportionnées selon trois divisions égales—c’est-à-dire réalisé avec des mesures correspondant à ces trois sections—est dit conférer les fruits de tous les buts désirés.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selecting/constructing a liṅga with auspicious proportions (length and breadth aligned to a three-part proportional scheme) believed to yield desired results for patrons and temple communities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sarvakāma-phala-prada liṅga: tri-bhāga proportion rule","lookup_keywords":["tri-bhāga","āyāma","vistāra","liṅga-lakṣaṇa","sarvakāma"],"quick_summary":"A liṅga whose length and breadth conform harmoniously to a three-part proportional division is declared auspicious and fruit-giving for all desired aims."}
Concept: Right form (rūpa) aligned with right measure (māna) supports right results (phala) in ritual life.
Application: When commissioning a liṅga, prefer tri-bhāga proportional harmony as an auspicious specification.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Linga-Lakshana (Iconography / Temple-architecture guidelines)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A finished liṅga is shown with marked three equal divisions, demonstrating balanced length and breadth; priests and patrons observe, signifying auspicious selection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene sanctum-adjacent scene with a liṅga marked in three divisions, priests discussing proportions, subdued sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central liṅga with tri-bhāga markings, gold aura-like embellishment indicating sarvakāma-phala, attendants with offerings","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional plate: liṅga silhouette with tri-bhāga grid overlay, annotations for āyāma and vistāra harmony, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, patron and architect examining a proportioned liṅga with measuring staff, refined courtly setting blended with temple workshop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sadṛśamāyāmam → sadṛśam āyāmam; tadvibhāgasamaṃ → tat-vibhāga-samam; cistaraḥ in IAST appears as a typo for vistaraḥ (विस्तरः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 53.6 (śiras shaping); Agni Purana 53.8 (diameter-to-length ratio)
FAQs
It gives a vastu/iconographic rule for constructing a Śiva-liṅga: its length (āyāma) and breadth (vistāra) should be proportionate according to three equal divisions, indicating a standardized sacred proportion for installation and worship.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical temple-arts knowledge—measurement canons and iconographic standards—showing its role as a compendium that includes ritual architecture (vāstu) alongside theology.
Correct proportional construction of the liṅga is presented as spiritually efficacious, promising “sarva-kāma-phala”—the attainment of desired results—through properly aligned sacred form and worship.