Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
विस्तरादष्टमांशेन मुखानां प्रतिनिर्गमः एकवक्त्रं तथा कार्यं पूर्वस्यां सौम्यलोचनं
vistarādaṣṭamāṃśena mukhānāṃ pratinirgamaḥ ekavaktraṃ tathā kāryaṃ pūrvasyāṃ saumyalocanaṃ
La saillie (vers l’avant) des visages doit être d’un huitième de la largeur. De même, une image à un seul visage doit être faite tournée vers l’est, avec des yeux doux et de bon augure.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fixes the forward projection of faces as one-eighth of breadth and prescribes orientation (east-facing) and eye-expression (gentle) for single-faced icons used in temple installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"One-eighth Projection Rule and East-facing Single-faced Icon with Gentle Eyes","lookup_keywords":["pratinirgama","aṣṭamāṃśa","ekavaktra","pūrvābhimukha","saumya-locana"],"quick_summary":"Sets a precise projection (one-eighth of breadth) for facial emergence and specifies that a single-faced image should face east with calm, auspicious eyes."}
Concept: Dik (direction) and bhāva (expression) are part of ritual correctness, not mere aesthetics
Application: During design and installation, ensure eastward orientation and serene eyes to support darśana, devotion, and temple propriety.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single-faced icon is shown aligned to the east; a measuring line indicates one-eighth breadth as the face’s forward projection; the eyes are painted/carved gentle and calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, east-facing deity icon in sanctum-like setting, subtle measurement band showing one-eighth projection, large calm eyes, lamp-lit ambience, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, frontal single-faced icon with serene eyes, gold-highlighted projection guideline, temple doorway suggesting east orientation, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical plate: side profile showing one-eighth projection from breadth, compass indicating east, close-up inset of saumya eyes, neat labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, craftsman aligning an icon with a compass toward the rising sun, delicate side-profile projection measurement, refined architectural background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vistarādaṣṭamāṃśena → vistārāt + aṣṭama-aṃśena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (dik-nirdeśa and mukha-pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It gives a pratima-lakshana (iconometric) rule: the face should project forward by one-eighth of the measured breadth, and a single-faced image is to be oriented east with a calm, auspicious gaze.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, sculptural geometry and ritual orientation—showing its coverage of Vastu/Śilpa norms alongside religious practice.
Correct proportion and eastward orientation are treated as auspicious, supporting a serene, beneficent divine presence in worship and helping ensure the ritual efficacy (prasāda/śubha-phala) of the installed image.