Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
स्थण्डिले ऽङ्गुलमानेन आत्मनः सप्तविंशतिः आचार्याणां च सूत्राणि पितृमात्रादिपुस्तके
sthaṇḍile 'ṅgulamānena ātmanaḥ saptaviṃśatiḥ ācāryāṇāṃ ca sūtrāṇi pitṛmātrādipustake
ਸਥੰਡਿਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੰਗੁਲ-ਮਾਪ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਤਾਈ ਇਕਾਈਆਂ ਹਨ। ਅਤੇ ਆਚਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸੂਤਰ ਪਿਤਾ-ਮਾਤਾ ਆਦਿ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੁਸਤਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਅਨੁਸਰਣ ਜਾਂ ਦਰਜ ਕਰਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Set altar/ritual-ground measurements using one’s aṅgula and preserve/consult guru-sūtras and lineage records for correct ritual performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sthaṇḍila Aṅgula-māna (27 Units) and Ācārya-sūtra Lineage Record","lookup_keywords":["sthandila","angula-mana","27","acharya-sutra","pustaka"],"quick_summary":"The ritual ground is measured in 27 aṅgula-units by one’s own measure, and the practitioner should rely on teachers’ sūtras preserved in lineage books (beginning with father/mother records)."}
Concept: Ritual correctness rests on pramāṇa (measure) and paramparā (teacher lineage).
Application: Use consistent body-based measures for the sthaṇḍila and verify steps against established ācārya-sūtras and family/guru records.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; altar/mandala measurements and lineage texts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest marks out a sthaṇḍila on the ground using finger-measurements, while a palm-leaf/paper ‘pustaka’ of ācārya-sūtras and lineage notes lies open nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard with marked square sthaṇḍila grid, priest measuring with fingers, open palm-leaf manuscript showing sūtra lines, subdued temple tones and lamp light.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest in ornate attire measuring a ritual ground, manuscript with gilded border, sacred implements arranged symmetrically, gold detailing on borders and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scene with clear measurement marks (27 units), teacher pointing to sūtra manuscript, student marking the ground, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly ritual setup: pandit measuring a ground diagram, assistant holding a manuscript register of lineage, detailed textiles and architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sthaṇḍile + aṅgulamānena → sthaṇḍile 'ṅgulamānena (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (sthaṇḍila/maṇḍala pramāṇa context)
FAQs
It specifies a practical measurement standard for the sthaṇḍila (ritual ground/altar-space) using one’s own aṅgula (finger-breadth), and emphasizes adherence to established ācārya-sūtras (authoritative procedural rules).
By preserving precise ritual engineering (pramāṇa/measurement) alongside textual authority (ācārya-sūtras) and record-keeping traditions (pustaka referencing family/lineage details), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s wide scope across liturgy, technical standards, and dharmic documentation.
Correct measurement and fidelity to authentic teacher-traditions are treated as safeguards of ritual efficacy—supporting purity (śuddhi), correctness (vidhi), and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.