Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 27
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
दत्तात्रेयो द्विबाहुः स्याद्वामोत्सङ्गे श्रिया सह विश्वक्सेनश् चक्रगदी हली शङ्खी हरेर्गणः
dattātreyo dvibāhuḥ syādvāmotsaṅge śriyā saha viśvaksenaś cakragadī halī śaṅkhī harergaṇaḥ
ദത്താത്രേയനെ ദ്വിബാഹുവായി ചിത്രീകരിക്കണം; അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ വാമമടിയിൽ ശ്രീ (ലക്ഷ്മി) സഹിതം ആസീനയായിരിക്കണം. ഹരിയുടെ ഗണനായ വിശ്വക്സേനനെ ചക്രവും ഗദയും, ഹലവും ശംഖവും ധരിച്ചവനായി കാണിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Temple and household murti-making: specifying correct arm-count, seating (lap), and ayudhas for Dattatreya and Vishvaksena in Vaishnava iconographic programs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dattātreya and Viśvaksena Murti-lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["Dattatreya dvibahu","Vishvaksena ayudha","Shri vamotsanga","Hari gana","chakra gada shankha hala"],"quick_summary":"Depicts Dattātreya as two-armed with Śrī on his left lap, and Viśvaksena as Hari’s attendant bearing chakra, gada, hala, and shankha—useful for correct sculptural and ritual visualization."}
Weapon Type: Chakra, Gadā, Hala, Śaṅkha (as divine insignia/ayudha)
Concept: Iconographic correctness (lakṣaṇa) as a support for proper worship and dhyāna.
Application: Use as a checklist for artisans (śilpin) and priests (pūjaka) to avoid doṣa in installation and visualization.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of deities and attendants)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm iconographic tableau: Dattātreya shown two-armed with Lakṣmī seated on his left lap; nearby stands Viśvaksena as Hari’s attendant holding chakra and mace, with plough and conch as identifying emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, Dattātreya dvibāhu seated with Śrī on left lap, Viśvaksena standing as gaṇa of Hari holding chakra and gadā, also hala and śaṅkha, ornate floral borders, sacred aura","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf halos and jewelry, Dattātreya two-armed enthroned, Lakṣmī on left lap, Viśvaksena beside with chakra-gadā and hala-śaṅkha, heavy ornamentation, deep red and green palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, instructional clarity of attributes: label-like emphasis on chakra, gadā, hala, śaṅkha; Dattātreya dvibāhu with Śrī vamotsanga; soft shading and delicate faces","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly composition with precise detailing, Dattātreya seated with Lakṣmī on lap, attendant Viśvaksena holding chakra and mace, plough and conch visible, patterned textiles and architectural niche"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्वामोत्सङ्गे = स्यात् + वामोत्सङ्गे; विश्वक्सेनश् = विश्वक्सेनः; हरेर्गणः = हरेः + गणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 49 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purāṇa 50 (Devī-pratimā-lakṣaṇa begins next)
FAQs
It gives murti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic rules) for depicting Dattātreya with Śrī on the left lap and for depicting Viśvaksena with specific emblems (cakra, gadā, hala, śaṅkha) used in temple images and ritual visualization.
Beyond mythology, it functions as a practical handbook for temple art and worship—standardizing deity forms, attendants, and attributes for installation (pratiṣṭhā), pūjā, and dhyāna across Vaiṣṇava contexts.
Correct iconographic form supports proper dhyāna and pūjā; aligning image, attributes, and retinue with scripture is traditionally held to make worship efficacious and to confer auspiciousness (śrī) and protection under Hari’s guardianship.