Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये प्रतिमालक्षणं नाम चतुश् चत्वारिंशोध्यायः अथ पञ्चचत्वारिंशोध्यायः पिण्डिकालक्षणकथनं भगवानुवाच पिण्डिकालक्षणं वक्ष्ये दैर्घ्येण प्रतिमासमा उच्छ्रायं प्रतिमार्धन्तु चतुःषष्टिपुटां च ताम्
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye pratimālakṣaṇaṃ nāma catuś catvāriṃśodhyāyaḥ atha pañcacatvāriṃśodhyāyaḥ piṇḍikālakṣaṇakathanaṃ bhagavānuvāca piṇḍikālakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye dairghyeṇa pratimāsamā ucchrāyaṃ pratimārdhantu catuḥṣaṣṭipuṭāṃ ca tām
Demikian berakhir bab keempat puluh empat dalam Agni Purāṇa, bertajuk “Ciri-ciri Arca (Peraturan Ikonografi).” Kini bermula bab keempat puluh lima: “Huraian tentang Ciri-ciri Piṇḍikā (alas/pelantar).” Bhagavān bersabda: “Aku akan menerangkan tanda penentu piṇḍikā. Dari segi panjang, ia hendaklah sama dengan arca; dari segi tinggi, separuh arca; dan hendaklah dibina dengan enam puluh empat lapisan (puṭa).”
Bhagavan (Lord Agni as primary narrator of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Pedestal/plinth specification for image installation: set piṇḍikā length equal to the image, height half the image, and construct with 64 courses—used for temple construction, stability, and canonical compliance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa (Pedestal dimensions and 64-layer construction)","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍikā","pīṭha","māna-pramāṇa","pratimā-samā","catuḥṣaṣṭi-puṭa"],"quick_summary":"For a canonical pedestal: match its length to the image, set its height to half the image, and build it with sixty-four courses/layers. This standardizes proportion, stability, and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Māna (proportion) as dharmic order in sacred construction; numerical structuring (64) as completeness in craft practice.
Application: Use these ratios as baseline specs in drawings/BOQs for pedestal fabrication and to audit existing installations for conformity.
Khanda Section: Pratima-Lakshana & Shilpa-Shastra (Iconography, Measurements, Pedestal/Plinth Rules)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati explains pedestal measurements beside a deity image: length equal to the image, height half, and a cross-section showing 64 layered courses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sthapati teaching with measuring rod and palm-leaf text, pedestal cross-section with layered bands, deity image nearby, earthy reds/ochres, clear geometric emphasis","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central icon on an ornate pedestal, gold-highlighted layered base suggesting 64 courses, craftsmen measuring with cords, decorative arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like scene: proportional marks on image and pedestal, layered cross-section rendered neatly, soft colors and precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural workshop with master builder indicating proportional rules, pedestal shown in cutaway with many layers, fine linework and patterned floor tiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति (यण्-सन्धि/अवग्रह-लोप); चतुश् चत्वारिंशोध्यायः = चतुः + चत्वारिंशः + अध्यायः; पञ्चचत्वारिंशोध्यायः = पञ्च + चत्वारिंशः + अध्यायः; भगवानुवाच = भगवान् + उवाच; प्रतिमासमा = प्रतिमा + समाः (पाठे ‘समाः’ बहुवचनं, ‘पिण्डिकाः’ अध्याहार्य); प्रतिमार्धन्तु = प्रतिमा-अर्धम् + तु; चतुःषष्टिपुटां = चतुः + षष्टि + पुटाम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa chapter conclusion); Agni Purāṇa 45 (Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa chapter opening and subsequent details)
FAQs
It gives shilpa-śāstra/temple-architecture specifications for the piṇḍikā (icon pedestal): its length equals the icon’s length, its height is half the icon’s height, and it is to be made with sixty-four construction layers/courses (puṭa).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa codifies practical technical standards—here, iconography and architectural measurement—showing it functions as a multi-disciplinary manual that includes Vāstu and Śilpa norms for temple worship.
Correct proportioning of the pedestal and icon is treated as essential for proper installation and worship (pratiṣṭhā/arcana), supporting ritual efficacy and the devotee’s merit by ensuring the deity’s seat and form conform to prescribed sacred standards.