Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 55 — Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa-kathana
Defining Features of the Pedestal/Base for Icons
पिण्डिकापि यथाशोभं कर्तव्या सततं हरेः सर्वेषामेव देवानां शिष्णूक्तं मानमुच्यते देवीनामपि सर्वासां लक्ष्म्युक्तं मानमुच्यते
piṇḍikāpi yathāśobhaṃ kartavyā satataṃ hareḥ sarveṣāmeva devānāṃ śiṣṇūktaṃ mānamucyate devīnāmapi sarvāsāṃ lakṣmyuktaṃ mānamucyate
Même la piṇḍikā (base/socle) de Hari doit toujours être réalisée d’une manière esthétiquement convenable. Pour tous les dieux masculins, le canon de proportion est dit être celui prescrit pour Śiṣṇu ; et pour toutes les déesses, le canon de proportion est dit être celui prescrit pour Lakṣmī.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Choosing aesthetically appropriate pedestal proportions for Hari and applying standardized male/female deity proportion systems using Śiṣṇu and Lakṣmī as archetypal measurement templates.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Devatā-māna standards: Śiṣṇu-māna for devas, Lakṣmī-māna for devīs; Hari-piṇḍikā śobhanatā","lookup_keywords":["Hari","piṇḍikā","Śiṣṇu-māna","Lakṣmī-māna","devatā-pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Make Hari’s pedestal always visually fitting, and use the Śiṣṇu proportion-standard for male deities and the Lakṣmī proportion-standard for goddesses to maintain canonical consistency."}
Concept: Archetypal forms as normative standards (pramāṇa) for sacred representation.
Application: In a multi-deity temple program, keep consistent proportional families: one male template (Śiṣṇu) and one female template (Lakṣmī), adjusting only for specific attributes.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and ritual measurements for worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor compares two proportional charts: a male deity template labeled Śiṣṇu-māna and a goddess template labeled Lakṣmī-māna; nearby, a Viṣṇu icon stands on a carefully proportioned piṇḍikā pedestal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu on a well-proportioned pedestal, side panels showing two canonical proportion diagrams (Śiṣṇu and Lakṣmī), artisans discussing, warm tones and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Hari on ornate piṇḍikā with gold work, flanking medallions depicting Śiṣṇu-māna and Lakṣmī-māna proportion charts, rich jewel colors and gilded borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional layout: two proportion templates (male/female) with labels, Viṣṇu pedestal design emphasized for śobha, delicate lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop with illustrated manuals open to male and female proportion standards, Viṣṇu icon on pedestal being evaluated for aesthetic fit, refined detailing and subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिण्डिकापि = पिण्डिका + अपि; मानमुच्यते = मानम् + उच्यते; देवीनामपि = देवीनाम् + अपि; लक्ष्म्युक्तं = लक्ष्मी + उक्तम् (यण्-सन्धि: ई + उ → यु).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 55 (Hari/Viṣṇu and Devī proportion discussions within pratimā-lakṣaṇa)
FAQs
It gives a pratimā-lakṣaṇa rule: the pedestal (piṇḍikā) must be aesthetically proportionate, and the canonical measurements (māna) for male deities follow the Viṣṇu/Śiṣṇu standard, while those for goddesses follow the Lakṣmī standard.
Beyond theology, it preserves technical standards used in temple arts—iconometry, proportional canons, and ritual aesthetics—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical disciplines relevant to sculpture and worship practice.
By insisting on correct and pleasing proportions in the deity’s seat and image-standards, the verse frames worship as both devotion and disciplined correctness—supporting purity of ritual and the merit (puṇya) associated with properly executed installation and veneration.