Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 45
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
कर्णपादाधिकास्तस्य ललाटादीनि निर्दिशेत् भुजौ चतुर्भिर्भागैस्तु कर्तव्यौ पश्चिमोर्जितं
karṇapādādhikāstasya lalāṭādīni nirdiśet bhujau caturbhirbhāgaistu kartavyau paścimorjitaṃ
Il faut indiquer le front et les autres traits du visage de cette image comme dépassant (en mesure) l’oreille et le pied. Les bras, toutefois, doivent être réalisés en quatre parts proportionnelles, la partie postérieure étant rendue ferme et puissante.
Lord Agni (teaching iconographic canons to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guides detailing of facial features (starting with forehead etc.) with specified relative excess over ear/foot measures, and prescribes four-part arm construction with a strong posterior segment for visual stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Relative Measures for Facial Features and Four-part Arm Construction","lookup_keywords":["lalāṭa-pramāṇa","karṇa-māna","pāda-māna","bhuja-bhāga","paścima-ūrjita"],"quick_summary":"Directs how to set facial feature measures relative to ear/foot references and how to segment arms into four parts, emphasizing a firm posterior portion for balanced strength."}
Concept: Auspicious form requires both proportion (māna) and implied śakti (visual strength)
Application: In carving/casting, keep arm segmentation consistent and reinforce rear volumes to prevent visual/top-heavy imbalance and physical fragility.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography and proportional canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor marks the forehead and facial planes with reference to ear and foot measures; the arm is drawn/blocked into four segments, with the back portion thickened for strength.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan outlining facial planes and arm segments on a deity icon, strong posterior arm volume emphasized, warm mineral colors, sacred workshop mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, icon with highlighted forehead and arm segmentation bands in gold, sculptor holding stylus and measuring rod, ornate decorative border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional illustration: facial feature scaling vs ear/foot, arm divided into four labeled parts, posterior segment shaded to show firmness","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier with measurement notes on a parchment beside the icon, careful depiction of arm segmentation and facial reference points, refined linework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: karṇapādādhikāstasya → karṇa-pāda-adhikāḥ + tasya; caturbhirbhāgaistu → caturbhiḥ + bhāgaiḥ + tu; paścimorjitaṃ → paścima-urjitam (sandhi o + u → o).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (bhuja-pramāṇa and aṅga-vibhāga passages)
FAQs
It gives pratिमा-लक्षण (iconographic) measurement rules—how to proportion facial features (forehead etc.) relative to ear/foot measures and how to construct the arms in defined segments with a strengthened posterior portion.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied shilpa-vidyā: practical standards for sculpting and temple-image construction, showing it functions as a technical manual alongside ritual and doctrinal material.
Correct proportions in a deity-image are traditionally held to support proper installation (pratiṣṭhā) and effective worship, aligning the form with prescribed sacred canons so the ritual presence is established without defect (doṣa).