Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Derivation
Uddhāra) of the Sakalādi Mantra (सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः
शशाङ्को विश्वरूपश् च क्षश् च स्यान्नरसिंहकः सूर्यमात्रासमाक्रान्तं विश्वरूपन्तु कारयेत्
śaśāṅko viśvarūpaś ca kṣaś ca syānnarasiṃhakaḥ sūryamātrāsamākrāntaṃ viśvarūpantu kārayet
शशाङ्क और विश्वरूप—ये नियत रूप माने जाएँ; तथा ‘क्ष’ वर्ण को नरसिंह के रूप में अंकित किया जाए। विश्वरूप की प्रतिमा सूर्य-मात्रा (सौर परिमाण) के अनुसार बनानी चाहिए।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa teaching frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guidance for pratima-nirmāṇa: selecting prescribed forms (Śaśāṅka, Viśvarūpa) and inscribing/depicting the bīja ‘kṣa’ as Narasiṃha; setting proportional measure for Viśvarūpa using a solar standard.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Viśvarūpa-pratimā: Sūrya-mātrā-pramāṇa and ‘kṣa’ Narasiṃha-bīja depiction","lookup_keywords":["Viśvarūpa","Śaśāṅka","kṣa bīja","Narasiṃha","Sūrya-mātrā"],"quick_summary":"For icon-making, Viśvarūpa is to be fashioned with a solar measure/proportion, and the syllable ‘kṣa’ is treated as a Narasiṃha-form/bīja for depiction or inscription—linking mantra-letter to image-form."}
Concept: Correspondence of śabda (bīja/akṣara) and rūpa (mūrti): letters can be embodied as deity-forms; cosmic measure (sun) grounds icon proportion.
Application: In temple arts, coordinate mantra-bīja inscription with icon design: place ‘kṣa’ (Narasiṃha-bīja) on prabhāmaṇḍala/āyudha/yantra-plate; use a consistent solar module for scaling Viśvarūpa.
Khanda Section: Murti-Lakshana & Pratima-Nirmana (Iconography / Temple Arts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor’s workshop scene: artisans measuring a grand Viśvarūpa icon with a sun-disc standard; a yantra/inscription panel showing the ‘kṣa’ syllable stylized as Narasiṃha; moon (śaśāṅka) and sun motifs framing the design.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of artisans crafting Viśvarūpa, large sun-disc used as measuring module, stylized ‘kṣa’ glyph transforming into Narasiṃha face, traditional flat perspective, temple-workshop ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Viśvarūpa icon on lotus pedestal with radiant gold sun-halo, embossed gold detailing, a small inset showing ‘kṣa’ as Narasiṃha bīja, rich ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: diagrammatic proportions with sun-disc module, labeled parts of Viśvarūpa, calligraphic ‘kṣa’ morphing into Narasiṃha head, clean lines and muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a royal atelier: craftsmen measuring a towering Viśvarūpa statue, sun and moon emblems on scrolls, a calligraphed ‘kṣa’ turning into a lion-man motif, fine detailing and architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विश्वरूपश् च → विश्वरूपः + च; क्षश् च → क्षः + च; स्यान्नरसिंहकः → स्यात् + नरसिंहकः; विश्वरूपन्तु → विश्वरूपम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana iconography/pratimā-lakṣaṇa chapters (mūrti-pramāṇa, pratimā-vidhi); Agni Purana mantra-bīja and nyāsa passages (linking akṣara to devatā)
FAQs
It gives iconographic and mantra-linked prescriptions: identifying specific forms (Śaśāṅka, Viśvarūpa), mapping the akṣara “kṣa” to a Narasiṃha representation, and fixing Viśvarūpa’s image-dimension by a canonical ‘solar measure’ (sūrya-mātrā).
Beyond mythic narration, it functions as a practical manual for śilpa/temple arts—combining image-making (pratimā-nirmāṇa), proportion systems (mātrā), and akṣara/bīja symbolism, showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of applied sacred technologies.
Correctly made and proportioned icons, aligned with akṣara symbolism, are traditionally held to stabilize worship, ensure proper invocation of the deity’s power (śakti), and support merit (puṇya) through accurate, rule-based consecration and devotion.