Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
प्रवक्ष्ये ऽहं प्रकारेणेति ग चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः रत्नजमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हस्ते तु विविधं शैलमिति ग चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः चलमङ्गुलमानेन द्वारगर्भकरैः स्थितम् अङ्गुलाद् गृहलिङ्गं स्याद्यावत् पञ्चशाङ्गुलं
pravakṣye 'haṃ prakāreṇeti ga cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ ratnajamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ haste tu vividhaṃ śailamiti ga cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ calamaṅgulamānena dvāragarbhakaraiḥ sthitam aṅgulād gṛhaliṅgaṃ syādyāvat pañcaśāṅgulaṃ
«J’exposerai la procédure» (ainsi lit-on dans un manuscrit marqué). Une autre leçon porte «fait de joyaux»; et une autre «dans la main, de pierres diverses». En usant de la mesure mobile de l’aṅgula, le liṅga domestique doit être placé dans le renfoncement intérieur du seuil/de la porte, établi selon les mesures du «ventre de la porte»; le liṅga du foyer doit aller d’un aṅgula jusqu’à cinq aṅgulas (en hauteur/taille).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining the correct small (gṛha/household) Śiva-liṅga size and its placement at the inner doorway recess using aṅgula-based measurement for domestic worship and vāstu-alignment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gṛha-liṅga (Household Liṅga): Aṅgula-measure and Door-recess Placement","lookup_keywords":["gṛha-liṅga","aṅgula-māna","dvāra-garbha","pratiṣṭhā-sthāna","kanyasañcala"],"quick_summary":"For household use, the liṅga is measured in aṅgulas and placed at the inner threshold/door-recess according to the door/garbha measurements. The smallest class ranges from 1 to 5 aṅgulas."}
Concept: Sacral order (ṛta) expressed through proportion and correct placement; the divine is approached through measured form.
Application: Use standardized aṅgula units and prescribed loci (door-recess) to avoid ritual/architectural impropriety in home installation.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-vidyā (Temple/House Iconography and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small household shrine at a doorway recess: an artisan-priest measures a tiny Śiva-liṅga with aṅgula units and positions it precisely at the inner threshold niche aligned to the door-garbha proportions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest with palm-leaf measure marking aṅgulas, small black stone liṅga in a doorway recess, subtle sacred geometry lines, lamp glow, minimal background architecture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on doorway arch and lamps, compact household sanctum, small liṅga on pedestal at inner threshold niche, priest holding measuring strip, rich reds and greens, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing aṅgula ticks on a measuring rod, clear architectural cutaway of dvāra and recess, small liṅga placement diagrammatically accurate, soft pastel washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior of a house with carved doorway, artisan-priest measuring a tiny liṅga, precise architectural perspective, delicate textiles, subdued jewel tones, annotated measurement marks."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pravakṣye 'ham = pravakṣye + aham; syād yāvat = syāt + yāvat. Editorial apparatus words (ga/kha/cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ etc.) omitted from pada analysis as non-verse critical notes.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54.9-54.12 (liṅga proportions, ninefold garbha measure, 108 measures, movable classes)
FAQs
It gives a vāstu/iconometric rule: the domestic (gṛha) Śiva-liṅga should be measured in aṅgulas (using the patron-specific ‘cala aṅgula’) and installed with reference to the doorway’s inner recess (dvāragarbha), with a recommended small size of 1–5 aṅgulas.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical architectural and ritual standards—precise measurement systems (aṅgula, kara), material options (jewel/stone), and placement rules—showing the Purāṇa as a compendium of applied sacred arts (vāstu + pūjā-vidhi).
By prescribing correct size and placement for a household liṅga, the verse frames domestic worship as orderly and dharmic; proper installation supports regular pūjā, purity of the home, and the steady accrual of religious merit through correctly performed devotion.