Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 58
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
गम्भीरत्वष्टयुवाभ्यां रेखापि त्र्यंशवृद्धितः सर्वेषु च भवेत् सूक्ष्मां लिङ्गमस्तकमस्तकं
gambhīratvaṣṭayuvābhyāṃ rekhāpi tryaṃśavṛddhitaḥ sarveṣu ca bhavet sūkṣmāṃ liṅgamastakamastakaṃ
Quant à la profondeur et aux proportions prescrites, la ligne incisée (rekhā) doit elle aussi être augmentée d’un tiers; et, en tout cas, elle doit être rendue fine et subtile dans la partie supérieure, à la tête (mastaka) du liṅga.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s technical instructions to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Specifying proportional refinement of incised lines/markings (rekhā) on a liṅga: increase by one-third and ensure fineness toward the upper/head portion for correct lakṣaṇa and aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-pramāṇa on Liṅga: One-third Increase and Upper Fineness","lookup_keywords":["rekhā","tryaṃśa-vṛddhi","liṅga-mastaka","sūkṣma rekhā","gambhīratva"],"quick_summary":"The incised line/marking on the liṅga is proportionally increased by one-third and should be executed subtly, especially toward the liṅga’s head/top, aligning depth and surface detailing."}
Concept: Sacred aesthetics (saukṣmya) and proportion (vṛddhi by parts) are integral to ritual correctness.
Application: During carving/finishing, scale incised features by prescribed fractions and taper delicately toward the top to avoid visual/ritual doṣa.
Khanda Section: Vastu–Shilpa & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography of Lingas and sacred marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor incises a fine line on the upper portion of a Śiva-liṅga, using calipers to apply a one-third proportional increase to the marking length/placement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: artisan carving a liṅga with delicate rekhā near the mastaka, tools stylized, sanctum workshop ambiance, lamp-lit browns and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: close-up sacred liṅga with highlighted fine rekhā at the top, gold-leaf halo-like framing, artisan and priest in reverent pose.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical illustration of liṅga profile with rekhā positions, showing tryaṃśa increment and tapering fineness toward mastaka, neat labels and measured lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with master sculptor demonstrating fine incisions on a stone liṅga, assistants holding measuring instruments, meticulous detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गम्भीरत्वष्टयुवाभ्यां → गम्भीरत्व + अष्टयुवाभ्याम्; रेखापि → रेखा + अपि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (liṅga-lakṣaṇa and pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It gives a precise shilpa-rule: the carved/marked line on the liṅga is proportionally increased by one-third, and the finishing at the liṅga’s top (mastaka) must be subtle and fine—guidance for correct iconographic fabrication.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, temple/icon construction standards (vāstu–śilpa) with proportional measurement rules, showing its coverage of architecture, ritual objects, and practical craftsmanship.
Accurate proportions and refined finishing are treated as part of śāstra-compliant worship: a correctly made liṅga supports proper consecration (pratiṣṭhā) and is believed to enhance ritual efficacy and merit by avoiding doṣa (fault) in sacred construction.