Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
द्वादशाङ्गुलमानानि व्यासादष्टाङ्गुलानि च लिङ्गविस्तारमानानि चतुरङ्गुलकानि वा
dvādaśāṅgulamānāni vyāsādaṣṭāṅgulāni ca liṅgavistāramānāni caturaṅgulakāni vā
Ses mesures peuvent être de douze aṅgula ; et le diamètre peut être de huit aṅgula ; et les mesures prescrites pour la largeur du liṅga peuvent être aussi de quatre aṅgula.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Standardizing liṅga measurements (aṅgula-based) for crafting and installing a Śiva-liṅga in worship and consecration contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Liṅga-pramāṇa: aṅgula measures for height, diameter, and breadth","lookup_keywords":["liṅga-pratiṣṭhā","aṅgula","pramāṇa","vyāsa","liṅga-vistāra"],"quick_summary":"Specifies canonical aṅgula measurements for a liṅga’s dimensions, enabling consistent iconometric construction suitable for ritual installation."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) supports prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā and steadiness of worship.
Application: Use standardized measures to avoid iconometric faults (pramāṇa-doṣa) believed to affect ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Linga-pratishtha (Iconometry and ritual measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor measuring a stone liṅga with an aṅgula scale, marking 12-aṅgula height, 8-aṅgula diameter, and 4-aṅgula breadth, with a temple sanctum in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan and priest in a sanctum setting, liṅga on a pedestal, aṅgula markings shown as traditional measurement ticks, earthy reds and greens, ritual vessels nearby","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central polished black liṅga with gold-embossed measurement lines, priest holding a measuring rod, ornate sanctum arch, rich gold work emphasizing sacred geometry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: labeled diagram of liṅga with 12/8/4 aṅgula annotations, artisan with measuring cord, minimal decorative background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with stoneworker measuring a liṅga, fine instruments, a small shrine in the corner, delicate shading and precise geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वादशाङ्गुलमानानि = द्वादश-अङ्गुल-मानानि; व्यासादष्टाङ्गुलानि = व्यासात् अष्ट-अङ्गुलानि; लिङ्गविस्तारमानानि = लिङ्ग-विस्तार-मानानि
Related Themes: Agni Purana Shilpa/Vastu chapters on pramāṇa, aṅgula-māna, and liṅga-lakṣaṇa; Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on liṅga-pratiṣṭhā
FAQs
It gives pramāṇa (iconometric) standards for a Śiva-liṅga—length/height in aṅgulas, plus specific diameter and breadth measurements used for correct installation (pratiṣṭhā).
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical temple-arts knowledge—standardized measurements (śilpa/ vāstu-pramāṇa) that guide craftsmen and priests in constructing and consecrating ritual icons.
Following correct pramāṇa is treated as part of ritual correctness (vidhi); a properly measured and installed liṅga supports auspicious worship, purity of rite, and the intended religious merit (puṇya) of consecration.