Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 9
Chapter 300 — सूर्यार्चनम्
Worship of Sūrya
ह्रस्वाः स्युर्मूर्तर्यः पञ्च दीर्घा अङ्गानि तस्य च सिन्दूरारुणमीशाने वामार्धदयितं रविं
hrasvāḥ syurmūrtaryaḥ pañca dīrghā aṅgāni tasya ca sindūrāruṇamīśāne vāmārdhadayitaṃ raviṃ
ਉਸ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜ ਲੱਛਣ ਹ੍ਰਸਵ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਗ ਲੰਮੇ ਹੋਣ। ਈਸ਼ਾਨ (ਉੱਤਰ-ਪੂਰਬ) ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਸਿੰਦੂਰ-ਅਰੁਣ ਵਰਣ ਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਵਾਮਾਰਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਵੀ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਿਯ/ਦਯਿਤ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਸਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ।
Lord Agni (instructor-narrator) addressing Sage Vasiṣṭha (listener)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Provides proportional canons and directional/color associations for an Īśāna-kalpa icon used in tantric dhyāna and image construction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Īśāna-kalpa mūrti-pramāṇa: five short features, long limbs; sindūra-aruna hue; Ravi as left-side beloved","lookup_keywords":["Īśāna-kalpa","pramāṇa","pañca-hrasva","sindūra-aruṇa","Ravi"],"quick_summary":"Gives a compact rule-set for icon proportions (five short points, long limbs) and specifies northeast aspect coloration (vermilion-red) with a distinctive association of the Sun on the left side."}
Concept: Form (pramāṇa), direction (dik), and color (varṇa) encode metaphysical correspondences in icon-making and meditation.
Application: Orient the icon/mandala to the northeast, apply sindūra-aruna palette, and follow the stated proportion scheme when sculpting/painting or visualizing in dhyāna.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa (Tantric iconography and dhyana-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred direction (dik)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A diagram-like icon of the Īśāna aspect: vermilion-red deity figure with elongated limbs, annotated showing five short features; northeast direction marked; Sun (Ravi) shown on the left side as a companion/beloved motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with a vermilion Īśāna form, elongated limbs, clear northeast corner marker, stylized Ravi disk placed to the deity’s left side, strong contour lines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore icon panel: sindūra-aruna Īśāna figure with gold halo, elongated limbs, subtle inset of Ravi on left, ornate border; include directional emblem for northeast in corner medallion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate: proportion grid overlay, labels for pañca-hrasva and dīrgha-aṅga, northeast arrow, vermilion wash, Ravi disk on left side; clean and didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature blending diagram and art: vermilion deity with elongated limbs, fine annotations in margins, northeast compass rose, radiant Ravi disk on left; delicate border and muted background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Purvi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्युर्मूर्तर्यः (पाठभेद) = स्युः + मूर्तयः; सिन्दूरारुणम् = सिन्दूर-अरुणम्; वामार्धदयितम् = वाम-अर्ध-दयितम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 300 (Īśāna-kalpa; dhyāna-lakṣaṇa and murti rules)
FAQs
It gives mūrti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic) rules: proportional guidance (five features short, limbs long) and a dhyāna detail for the Īśāna aspect, including the vermilion hue and the placement/association of Ravi on the left side.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical temple-arts knowledge—directional theology (Īśāna), color prescriptions, and iconometric proportion—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of ritual design, visualization, and sacred art standards.
Correct dhyāna and iconographic conformity are treated as supports for effective worship: accurate form, direction, and color stabilize concentration, align the rite with the deity’s aspect, and thereby enhance the merit (puṇya) and efficacy of pūjā.