Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 44
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
मुखं प्रति समः कार्यो विस्तारादष्टमांशतः चतुर्मुखं मया प्रोक्तं त्रिमुखञ्चोच्यते शृणु
mukhaṃ prati samaḥ kāryo vistārādaṣṭamāṃśataḥ caturmukhaṃ mayā proktaṃ trimukhañcocyate śṛṇu
Par rapport au visage, la (mesure correspondante) doit être faite égale; et, de la largeur totale, on prendra un huitième. J’ai exposé la forme à quatre visages; écoute maintenant aussi la description de la forme à trois visages.
Lord Agni (teaching iconographic measurement rules in the Agni Purana’s Vāstu/Śilpa sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Sets comparative measures keyed to the face and overall breadth (vistāra), guiding multi-faced (caturmukha/trimukha) icon layouts for correct projection and spacing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Face-based Equivalence and One-eighth Breadth Rule for Multi-faced Icons","lookup_keywords":["mukha-pramāṇa","vistāra","aṣṭamāṃśa","caturmukha","trimukha"],"quick_summary":"Uses the face as the reference module and fixes a one-eighth-of-breadth measure; transitions from four-faced to three-faced icon specifications."}
Concept: Pramāṇa as a modular grammar: mukha and vistāra generate the rest of the form
Application: When designing multi-faced icons, anchor all offsets and widths to mukha and a fixed fraction of total breadth to preserve symmetry.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconometry and temple-image proportions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A proportional chart showing a four-faced icon plan transitioning to a three-faced plan, with mukha as the base unit and one-eighth breadth marked as the key offset.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, schematic yet sacred depiction of caturmukha and trimukha icons side-by-side, bold outlines, annotated one-eighth breadth divisions, temple-workshop setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, multi-faced icon composition with gold accents on measurement bands, mukha module highlighted, ornate framing, devotional-craft fusion","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional panel: mukha as unit, vistāra divided into eighths, overlays for caturmukha and trimukha head layouts, fine line and pastel wash","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect-sculptor presenting a folio diagram of caturmukha/trimukha proportions to a patron, meticulous geometric divisions, refined interior scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vistārādaṣṭamāṃśataḥ → vistārāt + aṣṭama-aṃśataḥ; trimukhañcocyate → tri-mukham + ca + ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (caturmukha/trimukha pratimā sections)
FAQs
It gives a śilpa-śāstra proportion rule: measurements are to be set with reference to the face, including a one-eighth fraction derived from the overall breadth, in the context of designing multi-faced icons.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical temple-arts knowledge—iconometry and sculptural standards—showing its coverage of architecture, image-making, and ritual-ready design specifications.
Correct proportions are treated as essential for a deity’s proper installation and worship; accurate icon-making supports valid consecration and is considered conducive to auspiciousness and religious merit.