Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
इत्थमैक्येन लिङ्गानां शतमष्टोत्तरं भवेत् एकाङ्गुलादिपञ्चान्तं कन्यसञ्चलमुच्यते
itthamaikyena liṅgānāṃ śatamaṣṭottaraṃ bhavet ekāṅgulādipañcāntaṃ kanyasañcalamucyate
Ainsi, en réunissant (ces mesures) en un seul système, l’ensemble total des mesures du liṅga devient cent huit. L’intervalle d’un aṅgula à cinq aṅgulas est appelé «kanyasañcala», la classe la plus petite/la moins mobile.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in Agni Purana’s ritual-technical sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Combining measure-schemes to obtain the canonical total of 108 liṅga-measures and identifying the smallest movable class (1–5 aṅgulas) for portable/household installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"108 Liṅga-measures and the Kanyasañcala Class (1–5 Aṅgulas)","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭottara-śata","108","kanyasañcala","aṅgula","liṅga-māna"],"quick_summary":"By unifying the measure schemes, the canonical set totals 108 liṅga-measures. The smallest movable class, kanyasañcala, spans 1–5 aṅgulas and suits portable/household use."}
Concept: Sacred enumeration (108) organizes practice; correct scale is part of dharmic order in ritual material culture.
Application: Use the 108-measure framework to standardize commissions; select kanyasañcala for travel, household pūjā, or limited-space shrines.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Linga-pratishtha & measurement canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-priest explains a chart culminating in ‘108’ liṅga measures; beside it, a tiny kanyasañcala liṅga (1–5 aṅgulas) is shown with a measuring rod and labeled range.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ‘108’ emblem motif, surrounding measurement notations, small liṅga highlighted, priest instructing disciples, lamp-lit temple interior, bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf ‘108’ medallion above a small liṅga on pedestal, ornate borders, priest holding aṅgula scale, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear pedagogic diagram: 108 total indicated, kanyasañcala range 1–5 marked on a ruler, small liṅga drawn to scale, fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest presenting a scroll with ‘108’ tally marks, assistant measuring a small liṅga, detailed textiles and architectural niche, refined brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śatam aṣṭottaram = śatam + aṣṭa-uttaram; ekāṅgulādi = eka + aṅgula + ādi; pañcāntam = pañca + antam; calam ucyate = calam + ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54.8 (1–5 aṅgula household liṅga); Agni Purana 54.10 (36×3 measure-grades); Agni Purana 54.12 (medium and largest movable ranges)
FAQs
It codifies iconometric classification: liṅga dimensions are systematized into 108 measure-types, and the smallest class is defined as spanning 1–5 aṅgulas (kanyasañcala).
It demonstrates the text’s technical breadth by preserving precise temple/iconometry standards (pramāṇa) alongside theology—treating ritual construction and measurement as a formalized science.
Correct measurement is presented as a prerequisite for proper installation and worship; conformity to pramāṇa supports ritual efficacy, auspiciousness, and the intended religious merit of consecration.