Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
अन्तरं वा यथाशोभमेकद्विचतुरङ्गुलं प्रकृतिः पौरुषी वीरा चतुर्थी त्वपराजिता
antaraṃ vā yathāśobhamekadvicaturaṅgulaṃ prakṛtiḥ pauruṣī vīrā caturthī tvaparājitā
L’espacement (entre les parties) doit être disposé selon ce qui est esthétiquement convenable : d’un, de deux ou de quatre largeurs de doigt. La première est dite Prakṛti ; la seconde, Pauruṣī ; la troisième, Vīrā ; et la quatrième est appelée Aparājitā.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Setting aesthetically correct inter-part spacing in images/structures using angula-based measures and named proportional schemes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Antara-pramāṇa: Prakṛti, Pauruṣī, Vīrā, Aparājitā Spacings","lookup_keywords":["antara","aṅgula","prakriti","paurushi","aparajita"],"quick_summary":"Inter-part spacing should be 1, 2, or 4 aṅgulas as suits beauty; these graded spacings are classified as Prakṛti, Pauruṣī, Vīrā, and Aparājitā."}
Concept: Saundarya as measurable order—beauty guided by pramāṇa yet adaptable to śobha (visual harmony).
Application: Use angula-based spacing as a baseline, then adjust within sanctioned classes to fit the icon’s bhāva and setting.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor measuring the spacing between parts of a deity image with finger-breadth units, showing four labeled spacing modes: Prakṛti, Pauruṣī, Vīrā, Aparājitā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, sthapati with measuring hand-gesture (aṅgula), unfinished deity outline on wall, four spacing bands annotated, muted reds and ochres, stylized tools.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, iconometric diagram rendered as sacred art, gold highlights on measurement lines, four named spacing categories in ornate cartouches.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate: deity figure grid, aṅgula marks, four alternative antara spacings shown side-by-side, fine shading and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of sculptors, master demonstrating finger-breadth spacing on a clay model, assistants holding tablets with the four names, intricate architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथाशोभम्→यथा-शोभम् (avyayībhāva); एकद्विचतुरङ्गुलं→एक-द्वि-चतुर्-अङ्गुलम्; त्वपराजिता→तु + अपराजिता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pratima-lakṣaṇa/śilpa chapters (iconometry and measurements)
FAQs
It teaches iconographic spacing (antara) standards using the aṅgula unit—1, 2, or 4 finger-breadths—classified into named proportional types used in image/temple design.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied shilpa–vastu knowledge: practical measurement systems, aesthetic rules, and standardized typologies for constructing and proportioning sacred forms.
Correct proportions and harmonious spacing are treated as prerequisites for a ritually valid and spiritually efficacious sacred image, supporting proper worship and the intended auspicious results.