Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 33
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
विभागादूर्ध्वमष्टास्रो द्व्यष्टास्रःस्याच्छिवांशकः पादाज्जान्वन्तको ब्रह्मा नाभ्यन्तो विष्णुरित्यतः
vibhāgādūrdhvamaṣṭāsro dvyaṣṭāsraḥsyācchivāṃśakaḥ pādājjānvantako brahmā nābhyanto viṣṇurityataḥ
Au-dessus de la division (centrale), la forme doit être octogonale ; la partie supérieure à seize angles est assignée comme la portion de Śiva. Des pieds jusqu’aux genoux s’étend le domaine de Brahmā ; depuis le nombril vers l’intérieur (la région centrale), on dit que c’est celui de Viṣṇu.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Iconometric zoning of a liṅga/temple vertical scheme by assigning geometric tiers and deity-portions for correct construction and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Deity-zones and polygonal tiers in liṅga/prāsāda division","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭāsra","ṣoḍaśāsra","brahmabhāga","viṣṇubhāga","śivāṃśa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes the polygonal shaping above the central division and maps bodily/vertical extents to Brahmā (feet–knees) and Viṣṇu (navel/central region), with Śiva assigned to the upper sixteen-cornered portion."}
Concept: Cosmic-theological mapping of form: Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva are encoded as measurable zones within sacred construction.
Application: Use deity-zoning to guide carving, placement of markings, and ritual identification during pratiṣṭhā.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Mandira-Lakshana (Temple Architecture and Iconometry)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A technical sacred diagram showing a vertical liṅga/prāsāda divided into zones: lower feet-to-knees labeled Brahmā, central navel-region labeled Viṣṇu, and upper polygonal tiers (8- and 16-sided) labeled Śiva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet rich colors, sacred diagram of a Śiva-liṅga with clearly painted horizontal bands and Sanskrit labels for Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva; include octagonal and hexadecagonal tier motifs above the midline; traditional ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, stylized liṅga/prāsāda diagram on a dark ground; gold-outlined bands for Brahmā and Viṣṇu zones; upper Śiva portion emphasized with gold geometric (8- and 16-sided) halo-like tiering; minimal figures, focus on sacred geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional plate: measured liṅga with ruler-like tick marks, octagon and 16-gon tiers rendered cleanly; annotations in Devanāgarī; muted palette and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature technical folio: architect-scribe presenting a measured liṅga/prāsāda section drawing; delicate wash colors, precise polygons, marginal notes; workshop setting with measuring tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विभागादूर्ध्वम् = विभागात् + ऊर्ध्वम्; द्व्यष्टास्रःस्याच्छिवांशकः = द्व्यष्टास्रः + स्यात् + शिवांशकः; पादाज्जान्वन्तकः = पादात् + जान्वन्तकः; नाभ्यन्तो = नाभ्यन्तः; विष्णुरित्यतः = विष्णुः + इति + अतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga/prāsāda-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana sections on pratimā-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-vidhi (nearby chapters)
FAQs
It gives iconometric/architectural prescriptions: specific geometric forms (eight-angled and sixteen-angled) and a body-region allocation of the Tri-mūrti (Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva) used when designing or consecrating images/structures.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical Śilpa-śāstra/Vāstu knowledge—geometry, proportional design, and deity-mapping conventions—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a compendium that also functions like a technical manual for temple art and ritual installations.
Correct proportional and deity-portion assignment is traditionally held to ensure the image’s ritual fitness (pratiṣṭhā-yogyatā) and the intended presence/auspiciousness of the deity, supporting merit through properly performed consecration and worship.