Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
अङ्गुल्यो हृदयं पृष्ठं कटिः शस्तं चतुःसमं षण्णवत्यङ्गुलोत्सेधश् चतुष्किष्कुप्रमाणतः
aṅgulyo hṛdayaṃ pṛṣṭhaṃ kaṭiḥ śastaṃ catuḥsamaṃ ṣaṇṇavatyaṅgulotsedhaś catuṣkiṣkupramāṇataḥ
விரல்கள், இதயப் பகுதி, முதுகு, இடுப்பு ஆகியவற்றின் அளவுகள் நான்கு-சமமாக (சமவிகிதமாக) கூறப்பட்டுள்ளன. மொத்த உயரம் தொண்ணூற்று ஆறு அங்குலம்; அது நான்கு கிஷ்கு அளவின்படி கணக்கிடப்படுகிறது।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Iconometric measurement for constructing proportionate images: equalized fourfold proportions for key body regions and total height standardization (96 angulas / 4 kiskus).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Pratima-pramana: 96 aṅgulas total height and fourfold-equal proportions","lookup_keywords":["pramana","angula","kisku","pratima-mana","iconometry"],"quick_summary":"Sets a canonical scale: total icon height is 96 aṅgulas (4 kiṣkus) with specified regions (fingers/heart-back-waist) maintained in fourfold-equal proportionality for visual harmony and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Pramana (measure) is a bridge between idea and embodiment; correct proportion is treated as dharmic order expressed in form.
Application: Use as a baseline module when scaling icons; maintain consistent unit conversion (aṅgula↔kiṣku) across workshop teams to avoid distortion.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconometry and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measurement board and a standing icon outline marked in aṅgulas; a master craftsman demonstrates that total height equals 96 aṅgulas (4 kiṣkus) and shows equal proportional divisions for chest/back/waist and finger measures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan with measuring cord and marked staff, icon outline with red measurement ticks, palm-leaf manual open, warm temple hues and stylized geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central icon silhouette with gold-embossed measurement grid, side panel showing ‘96 aṅgula = 4 kiṣku’ in decorative script, rich reds and gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram: vertical scale labeled 96 aṅgulas, inset showing kiṣku unit, proportional bands for hṛdaya/pṛṣṭha/kaṭi, fine linework and pastel wash.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with ruler, calipers, and measuring cord; master and apprentice annotate an icon drawing with numbers and divisions, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṣaṇṇavatyaṅgulotsedhaḥ → ṣaṇṇavati-aṅgula-utsedhaḥ; catuṣkiṣkupramāṇataḥ → catuṣ-kiṣku-pramāṇataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Vastu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa measurements)
FAQs
It teaches pratimā-māna (iconometric proportion): how key body regions (chest/heart, back, waist) are proportioned and how total height is standardized as 96 aṅgulas, equivalently expressed as 4 kiṣkus.
Beyond myth and devotion, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied technical sciences—here, Vāstu-Śilpa and Śilpaśāstra—by specifying standardized measurement units and proportional rules used in temple construction and image-making.
Correct proportion in sacred images is treated as essential for proper consecration and worship; accuracy in māna is traditionally linked with producing a ritually valid icon that supports auspiciousness and the intended devotional merit.