Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 11
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
ब्रह्मेशौ पार्श्वगौ नित्यं वासुदेवोस्ति पूर्ववत् शङ्खी स वरदो वाथ द्विभुजो वा चतुर्भुजः
brahmeśau pārśvagau nityaṃ vāsudevosti pūrvavat śaṅkhī sa varado vātha dvibhujo vā caturbhujaḥ
Brahmā dan Īśa (Śiva) hendaklah sentiasa ditempatkan di kedua-dua sisi; Vāsudeva adalah seperti yang dihuraikan sebelumnya. Baginda memegang sangkha dan boleh digambarkan sebagai pemberi anugerah; boleh dipahat sama ada bertangan dua atau bertangan empat.
Lord Agni (teaching iconographic and ritual details to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Temple/icon layout rule: placing Brahmā and Īśa as flank deities and specifying Vāsudeva’s arm-number and attributes for correct installation and worship protocol.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Parivāra-devatā placement: Brahmā-Īśa flanks; Vāsudeva with śaṅkha; two-armed or four-armed option","lookup_keywords":["parivāra-devatā","Brahmā","Īśa","Vāsudeva","dvi-bhuja catur-bhuja"],"quick_summary":"Install Brahmā and Īśa at the sides as attendants; depict Vāsudeva as previously defined, bearing the conch and optionally in varada; he may be shown with two or four arms depending on iconographic program."}
Concept: Integrative Purāṇic theology: major deities positioned in a coherent worship-schema around the supreme form; sanctioned icon-variants within śāstric bounds.
Application: Guides temple committees and artisans in selecting dvibhuja/caturbhuja programs and arranging parivāra-devatās to match sectarian yet inclusive liturgy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of Vishnu and attendant deities)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Central Vāsudeva icon with conch and a boon-giving gesture, shown either two-armed or four-armed; Brahmā and Śiva stand/sit as symmetrical attendants on left and right within a shrine setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central Vāsudeva with śaṅkha and varada, flanked by Brahmā (four-faced) and Īśa (with matted hair and trident motif), temple niche framing, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Vāsudeva with gold halo and embossed jewelry, Brahmā and Śiva as side panels, ornate arch and gold work, conch prominent, varada hand clearly posed.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, balanced triptych composition, fine linework for Brahmā’s faces and Śiva’s attributes, clear depiction of dvibhuja vs caturbhuja option via inset diagram.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, shrine interior with three figures—Vāsudeva center holding conch, Brahmā and Śiva flanking—delicate architectural details, patterned textiles, floral border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Sri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मेशौ = ब्रह्म + ईशौ (द्वन्द्व); वासुदेवोस्ति = वासुदेवः + अस्ति (ः + अ → ओ); वाथ = वा + अथ; चतुर्-भुजः इत्यत्र 'चतुर्' पूर्वपद-रूपम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49 (earlier description of Vāsudeva ‘pūrvavat’)
FAQs
It gives murti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic rules): Vasudeva’s form (conch-bearing, boon-bestowing gesture) and the prescribed flanking placement of Brahmā and Śiva in the deity arrangement.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical temple-arts coverage—codifying sculptural/installation conventions alongside theology, making it a handbook for ritual, architecture, and sacred imagery.
Correct depiction and placement of the deity and attendants is treated as dharmic precision in worship, supporting proper devotion (bhakti) and the intended sanctifying merit of pūjā and pratimā-pratiṣṭhā.