Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
छत्री दण्डी वामनः स्यादथवा स्याच्चतुर्भुजः रामश्चापेषुहस्तः स्यात् कड्गी परशुनान्वितः
chatrī daṇḍī vāmanaḥ syādathavā syāccaturbhujaḥ rāmaścāpeṣuhastaḥ syāt kaḍgī paraśunānvitaḥ
Vāmana hendaklah digambarkan sebagai kerdil yang memegang payung (chatra) dan tongkat (daṇḍa), atau boleh juga sebagai bertangan empat. Rāma hendaklah ditampilkan dengan busur dan anak panah di tangan; (dan boleh juga) sebagai pembawa pedang serta dilengkapi kapak (paraśu).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Selecting correct attributes for Vāmana and Rāma icons (umbrella, staff; bow-arrows; sword; axe) for sculpture, painting, and pūjā identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vāmana and Rāma Āyudha-Lakṣaṇa (Umbrella–Staff; Bow–Arrow; Sword; Axe)","lookup_keywords":["Vāmana chattrī daṇḍī","caturbhuja","Rāma cāpa iṣu","khaḍga","paraśu"],"quick_summary":"Lists emblem options: Vāmana as umbrella-and-staff-bearing dwarf (or four-armed); Rāma with bow and arrows, optionally with sword and axe—useful for identifying and crafting images."}
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows; Sword; Axe (cāpa-iṣu, khaḍga, paraśu)
Concept: Iconographic lakṣaṇa as a practical taxonomy of divine forms; attributes encode avatāra function (humility of Vāmana, heroism of Rāma).
Application: Helps patrons and artisans avoid misidentification in temples and festivals; supports correct dhyāna during worship.
Khanda Section: Murti-lakshana & Iconography (Pratima/Vigraha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two icon panels: Vāmana as a dwarf holding umbrella and staff (or four-armed); Rāma standing with bow and arrows, optionally with sword and axe as additional emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-scene: Vāmana with chatra and daṇḍa, compact dwarf proportions; Rāma with bow and quiver, heroic stance; earthy palette, bold outlines, lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore dual-deity composition: Vāmana with gold umbrella motif and staff; Rāma with ornate bow, quiver, optional sword/axe rendered with gold embossing, jeweled crowns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional chart: clean depiction of attribute variants—Vāmana (2-armed vs 4-armed), Rāma (cāpa-iṣu vs khaḍga/paraśu options), labeled implements, soft wash colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of courtly divine figures: Vāmana with parasol and staff, Rāma with bow and arrows, fine garment patterns, delicate shading, manuscript margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यादथवा = स्यात् + अथवा; स्याच्चतुर्भुजः = स्यात् + चतुर्भुजः (त् + च → च्च); रामश्चापेषुहस्तः = रामः + चापेषुहस्तः; परशुनान्वितः = परशुना + अन्वितः (आ + अ → आ; न + अ → ना)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49 (avatāra mūrti-lakṣaṇa entries for multiple forms)
FAQs
It gives pratima-lakṣaṇa (iconographic specifications) for depicting Vāmana and Rāma—what implements they should hold (umbrella, staff, bow-arrows, sword, axe) and whether the form is dwarf or four-armed—useful for temple image-making and consecration contexts.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical, technical standards from śilpa/āgamic traditions—how to design deity images—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied arts (iconography) alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct iconographic form is traditionally held to support proper worship (upāsanā) and consecration, aligning the devotee’s ritual focus with the deity’s recognized attributes, thereby strengthening devotional merit and ritual efficacy.