Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
षद्वादिदशपर्यन्तञ्चलं लिङ्गञ्च मध्यमं एकादशाङ्गुलादि स्यात् ज्येष्ठं पञ्चदशान्तकम्
ṣadvādidaśaparyantañcalaṃ liṅgañca madhyamaṃ ekādaśāṅgulādi syāt jyeṣṭhaṃ pañcadaśāntakam
Un liṅga mobile (portable) mesurant de six à dix aṅgulas est classé «moyen». Le «plus grand» (jyeṣṭha) commence à onze aṅgulas et s’étend jusqu’à quinze.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Defining portable liṅga size-classes by aṅgula ranges (medium and largest) to guide fabrication, selection, and installation suitability for different shrine scales.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Movable Liṅga Size-Classes: Madhyama (6–10) and Jyeṣṭha (11–15) Aṅgulas","lookup_keywords":["cala-liṅga","madhyama","jyeṣṭha","aṅgula","pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Portable liṅgas are classified by size: 6–10 aṅgulas is ‘medium’, and 11–15 aṅgulas is ‘largest’. These ranges guide appropriate commissioning and placement."}
Concept: Right measure (pramāṇa) is a form of dharma in sacred making; gradation supports context-appropriate worship.
Application: Choose madhyama for moderate space/portability; choose jyeṣṭha for more prominent portable worship settings while staying within canonical limits.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Linga-pratishtha (Iconometry and installation rules for Shiva-liṅga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two portable liṅgas displayed side-by-side with measuring rods: one labeled madhyama (6–10 aṅgulas) and a larger one labeled jyeṣṭha (11–15), with an artisan preparing stone and a priest supervising.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, side-by-side liṅgas with size labels, artisan chiseling, priest holding measure, warm lamp glow, simplified architectural backdrop, bold lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, two liṅgas on ornate pedestals with gold accents, measuring scale depicted, rich decorative borders, priest and artisan in ceremonial attire.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical clarity: ruler with aṅgula marks, two scaled liṅga drawings, annotations for 6–10 and 11–15, gentle colors and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with stone blocks, two finished liṅgas of different sizes, meticulous measurement by calipers, detailed textiles and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṣadvādidaśaparyantañcalam = ṣaṭ-vādi-daśa-paryantam + calam (ṃ sandhi); liṅgañ ca = liṅgam + ca; ekādaśāṅgulādi = ekādaśa + aṅgula + ādi; pañcadaśāntakam = pañca-daśa-antakam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54.11 (kanyasañcala 1–5 and 108 total); Agni Purana 54.8 (household placement and smallest range)
FAQs
It gives iconometric standards for a portable Śiva-liṅga, defining ‘medium’ (6–10 aṅgulas) and ‘largest’ (11–15 aṅgulas) sizes for ritual use and installation planning.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical temple-ritual technology—standardized measurements (māna) and classifications used in iconography, consecration, and portable worship objects—showing the text’s coverage of applied śāstra.
Following prescribed māna for sacred icons is traditionally held to ensure ritual correctness (vidhi), auspiciousness, and effective worship—supporting purity of practice and the intended devotional merit (puṇya).