Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
मुकुटोपरि कर्तव्यं सूत्रमेकं विचक्षणैः सूत्राण्यूर्ध्वं प्रदेयानि सप्तैव कमलोद्भव
mukuṭopari kartavyaṃ sūtramekaṃ vicakṣaṇaiḥ sūtrāṇyūrdhvaṃ pradeyāni saptaiva kamalodbhava
ผู้รู้พึงวางเชือกหนึ่งเส้นไว้เหนือมงกุฎ. เหนือขึ้นไปให้วางเชือกอีกเจ็ดเส้น โอ้ผู้บังเกิดจากดอกบัว (พรหมา).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage, within ritual/vidhi discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Crown (mukuṭa) and upper-cord placements for icon ornamentation and/or ritualized thread-setting above the head in consecration contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mukuṭa-ūrdhva sūtra-vidhi: one on crown, seven above","lookup_keywords":["mukuṭa","ūrdhva-sūtra","sapta-sūtra","pratimā-śiras","alaṅkāra-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Instructs placing one cord on the crown and seven cords above it. Serves as a canonical rule for head-top ornament/marking sequences in iconography and ritual dress."}
Concept: Śiras (crown) as the summit of form—upper segmentation conveys hierarchy and auspicious completeness (sapta as a structuring number).
Application: Helps artisans and ritualists standardize crown/upper register layout (tiers, halo spacing, thread/mark placement) for visual and ritual coherence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography & Ritual Dress/Ornamentation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A crowned icon is shown while an artisan places a single cord on the crown and arranges seven cords above, forming a tiered upper structure like crown tiers or halo registers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deity/icon with prominent mukuṭa, artisan placing one cord on crown and seven above as parallel arcs, lamp-lit temple interior, strong outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, lavish gold-leaf mukuṭa and radiant upper arcs (seven), jewel-like colors, embossed effect emphasizing the crown and upper tiers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise tier diagram above the crown: one band at mukuṭa, seven bands above, delicate shading, artisan holding cord and stylus, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined depiction of a crowned figure with seven delicate arcs above the head, artisan and patron observing, intricate textiles and architectural frame."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mukuṭopari → mukuṭa-upari (avyayībhāva); sūtramekaṃ → sūtram + ekam; sūtrāṇyūrdhvaṃ → sūtrāṇi + ūrdhvam; saptaiva → sapta + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa adhyāya 44: head/ornament measurement and sūtra placements (immediately surrounding verses)
FAQs
It gives a precise iconographic/ritual instruction for arranging cords (sūtras) on and above a crown (mukuṭa): one cord on the crown and seven placed above it.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical temple-arts standards—minute specifications for deity adornment and ritual presentation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied ritual, craft, and iconographic procedure.
Correct ritual arrangement in deity adornment is treated as part of proper worship (pūjā-vidhi); accuracy supports purity, order, and the intended devotional merit by aligning practice with prescribed sacred standards.