Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 39
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
मेखलाभागसंयुक्तं कण्ठं द्विपदिकं भवेत् आचार्यो बुद्धिमाश्रित्य कल्पयेच्च लतादिकम्
mekhalābhāgasaṃyuktaṃ kaṇṭhaṃ dvipadikaṃ bhavet ācāryo buddhimāśritya kalpayecca latādikam
ਮੇਖਲਾ-ਭਾਗ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜਿਆ ਕੰਠ ਦ੍ਵਿਪਦਿਕ (ਦੋ ਪੜਾਅ/ਦੋ ਪੱਟੀਆਂ) ਹੋਵੇ। ਆਚਾਰ੍ਯ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਿਵੇਕ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਲਤਾ ਆਦਿ ਅਲੰਕਾਰ ਵੀ ਰਚੇ।
Lord Agni (narrating the shilpa/vastu rules to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Sculptural/architectural detailing: specifying neck-band construction and guiding the sthapati to design vegetal ornament (latā) appropriately.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kaṇṭha-nirmāṇa with mekhalā-saṃyoga and latā-alaṅkāra","lookup_keywords":["mekhalā","kaṇṭha","dvipadikā","latā-alaṅkāra","sthāpati"],"quick_summary":"Form the neck element as a two-stepped band joined to the girdle portion, and let the master craftsman add creeper-scroll ornamentation using informed aesthetic judgment."}
Concept: Śilpa is both rule-based (band profiles) and discretion-based (buddhi of the ācārya) for harmonious beauty.
Application: Follow prescribed moulding grammar, but adapt ornament density and flow to context through trained aesthetic discernment.
Khanda Section: Vastu–Shilpa-shastra (Iconography and Ornamentation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master craftsman carves a temple moulding: the neck member formed in two steps and joined to a girdle band, then adds flowing creeper-scroll ornament along the surface.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sthapati with chisels shaping mouldings on a temple base, clear two-stepped kaṇṭha band, latā vines curling rhythmically, earthy palette, stylized tools and patterns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, artisan carving ornate latā scrolls on a gilded architectural band, gold leaf emphasizing mekhalā and kaṇṭha profiles, rich decorative framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional close-up of moulding profiles: mekhalā junction, dvipadikā kaṇṭha, step-by-step depiction of latā motif layout, clean lines and annotations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with craftsmen carving stone bands, detailed vine scrolls, architectural fragment in foreground, refined textiles and tools, naturalistic shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mekhalābhāgasaṃyuktaṃ = mekhalā-bhāga-saṃyuktam; buddhimāśritya = buddhim āśritya; kalpayecca = kalpayet ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana śilpa/vāstu passages on mouldings (aṅga), bhūṣaṇa (ornament), and the role of the ācārya in design decisions
FAQs
It teaches a shilpa/vastu specification: the neck element should be made as a two-banded (dvipadika) form connected to the mekhalā (encircling band), and it instructs the craftsman to add latā (creeper-scroll) ornamentation.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical canons for sacred art—proportions, junctions of members, and decorative vocabulary—showing its coverage of architecture, sculpture, and design standards used in temple and image-making.
Correct proportioning and ornamentation in sacred images/structures is treated as dharmic craftsmanship: faithful execution supports ritual efficacy, aesthetic auspiciousness (maṅgala), and the merit (puṇya) associated with properly made devotional forms.