Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 19
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
हस्ताद्विवर्धते हस्तो यावत्स्युर् नव पाणयः हीनमध्योत्तमं लिङ्गं त्रिविधं त्रिविधात्मकम्
hastādvivardhate hasto yāvatsyur nava pāṇayaḥ hīnamadhyottamaṃ liṅgaṃ trividhaṃ trividhātmakam
À partir d’un hasta, la mesure croît d’un hasta à chaque fois, jusqu’à neuf mains au total. Ainsi, le liṅga comporte trois degrés—inférieur, moyen et supérieur—et sa constitution est triple.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Selecting liṅga size by hasta-units and classifying it into inferior/middling/superior grades for installation suitability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hasta-based Liṅga-māna (1–9) and Three-grade Classification","lookup_keywords":["hasta","pani-pramana","linga-mana","hina-madhya-uttama","iconometry"],"quick_summary":"Liṅga height is measured from 1 hasta increasing up to 9; these measures are grouped into three grades—hīna, madhya, uttama—used to choose an appropriate liṅga for a given shrine and patron capacity."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) and guṇa-bheda (graded suitability) govern sacred making.
Application: Choose liṅga size and grade to match sanctum scale, ritual protocol, and patronal resources.
Khanda Section: Shilpa/Vāstu-śāstra (Iconography & Measurement of Images/Liṅga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measuring sequence is shown: a liṅga being sized with a hasta-rod from 1 to 9, and three labeled categories (hīna, madhya, uttama) displayed as small, medium, large liṅgas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, three liṅgas in a row labeled hīna madhya uttama, a sthapati holding a hasta-measuring rod, muted ochres and reds, temple workshop setting with ritual purity motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents, three graded liṅgas on ornate pedestals, priest and artisan presenting a hasta scale, rich textile patterns, gold outlining the measurement marks","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, didactic panel: a vertical scale from 1 to 9 hasta, liṅga silhouettes aligned to marks, clear labels for the three grades, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with artisans and a patron, measuring rod and manuscript open, three liṅgas of increasing height, fine detailing and calligraphic annotations"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi: हस्तात्+विवर्धते→हस्ताद्विवर्धते; यावत्+स्युः→यावत्स्युः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga-māna sequence and typology)
FAQs
It gives a measurement rule in hasta (hand-span units) for constructing/choosing a Śiva-liṅga, and introduces a three-grade classification (inferior–middling–superior) used in iconographic standards.
By preserving practical Śilpa/Vāstu norms—standardized units, scalable proportions, and graded typologies—for religious icons, the Agni Purana functions as a technical handbook alongside its theological material.
Following correct pramāṇa (canonical proportion) for a liṅga is traditionally held to support proper worship (pūjā) efficacy, helping ensure the installation is ritually sound and conducive to merit (puṇya) and auspiciousness.