Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 22
Chapter 363: नृब्रह्मक्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
Groups of terms for Men, Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
प्रदेशतालगोकर्णास्तर्जन्यादियुते तते अङ्गुष्ठे सकनिष्ठे स्याद्वितस्तिर्द्वादशाङ्गुलः
pradeśatālagokarṇāstarjanyādiyute tate aṅguṣṭhe sakaniṣṭhe syādvitastirdvādaśāṅgulaḥ
പ്രദേശ, താല, ഗോകർണ എന്നീ അളവുകൾ തർജനീ മുതലായ വിരലുകളോടെ നീട്ടി എടുക്കുമ്പോൾ, അങ്കുഷ്ഠത്തിൽ നിന്ന് കനിഷ്ഠ വരെ ഉള്ള വ്യാപ്തി ‘വിതസ്തി’ എന്നു പറയുന്നു; അത് പന്ത്രണ്ട് അങ്കുലത്തിന് തുല്യം.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana instructional sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Standardizes iconometric and architectural measurements (pradeśa, tāla, gokarṇa, vitasti, aṅgula) for making images, pillars, and layout modules.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vitasti-pramāṇa (span) as twelve aṅgulas","lookup_keywords":["vitasti","aṅgula","tāla","gokarṇa","pradeśa"],"quick_summary":"Defines vitasti as the span obtained by stretching thumb and little finger; it equals twelve aṅgulas, supporting consistent pramāṇa in śilpa works."}
Concept: Pramāṇa as dharma of craft—order and proportion manifest auspiciousness.
Application: Ensures repeatable, tradition-compliant scaling across workshops and regions.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra / Pramana (Iconometry and traditional measures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor demonstrates hand-measures: thumb-to-little-finger span (vitasti) with a row of twelve aṅgula marks; measuring cord and unfinished deity image nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan in traditional attire measuring with hand-span, stylized aṅgula ticks on a measuring strip, temple workshop backdrop, bold outlines and flat shading","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, master sculptor holding measuring cord, gold-leaf highlights on tools and border, inset showing vitasti hand gesture and ‘12 aṅgula’ notation, rich ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: close-up of hand span, labeled aṅgula divisions, calm workshop scene with partially carved stone figure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with craftsmen, detailed tools, a hand shown measuring vitasti over a ruled scale of twelve units, architectural drawing sheets in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदेशतालगोकर्णाः = प्रदेश + ताल + गोकर्णाः (समाहार/सूची). तर्जन्यादियुते = तर्जनी + आदि + युते. स्याद्वितस्तिः = स्यात् + वितस्तिः. द्वादशाङ्गुलः = द्वादश + अङ्गुलः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 363 (pramāṇa and aṅgula-related definitions); Agni Purana śilpa/mandira/mūrti chapters elsewhere (pratimā-lakṣaṇa, prāsāda-lakṣaṇa)
FAQs
It defines the practical hand-based unit vitasti (span) as twelve aṅgulas, used for precise sizing in iconometry, temple layout, and craft measurement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves technical standards of pramāṇa (measurement science) essential to Vāstu and Śilpa traditions—showing its role as a compendium of applied knowledge.
Accurate pramāṇa ensures that sacred images and ritual spaces are proportioned correctly, supporting ritual efficacy and the intended auspicious (śubha) results of consecration and worship.