Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
अर्धाङ्गुलं तथा नेत्रं वक्त्रन्तु चतुरङ्गुलम् आयामेन तु वैपुल्यात् सार्धमङ्गुलमुच्यते
ardhāṅgulaṃ tathā netraṃ vaktrantu caturaṅgulam āyāmena tu vaipulyāt sārdhamaṅgulamucyate
ดวงตาให้ทำขนาดครึ่งอังคุละ ส่วนใบหน้าทำสี่อังคุละ และตามสัดส่วนด้านยาวกับด้านกว้าง กล่าวว่ามีขนาดหนึ่งอังคุละครึ่ง
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Provides icometric standards for eye and face dimensions to maintain symmetry and recognizable canonical beauty in sculpture/painting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Netra-vaktra pramāṇa (eye and face measures)","lookup_keywords":["netra","vaktra","ardhāṅgula","catur-aṅgula","āyāma-vaiśālya"],"quick_summary":"Defines small-unit measures for the eye and face and gives a length–breadth specification, enabling consistent facial layout in pratimā construction."}
Concept: Modular design (tāla/aṅgula) as a means to manifest ideal form.
Application: Lay out the face using fixed modules before carving/painting to avoid distortion.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Śāstra / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconometry and measurements)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A face grid diagram: eye marked as half-aṅgula, face width/height marked four aṅgulas; a smaller rectangle labeled 1.5 aṅgulas for a sub-feature module.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan drawing a facial grid on a wooden panel, bold outlines, labeled aṅgula marks near eye and face, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, frontal deity face with subtle proportional guidelines, gold accents on borders, emphasis on measured eyes and serene symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean didactic illustration: face rectangle 4 aṅgulas, eye module 1/2 aṅgula, inset 1.5×1.5 aṅgula box, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, painter in studio using a ruled grid on paper for a portrait-like deity face, annotations in margins, refined detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ardhāṅgulam → ardha-aṅgulam; vaktrantu → vaktram tu; sārdhamaṅgulamucyate → sa-ardham aṅgulam ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44.17-44.20 (continuing facial pramāṇa sequence)
FAQs
It transmits pratimā-lakṣaṇa (iconometric) rules—specific aṅgula-based proportions for sculpting/painting the eye and face, and a stated standard measure (1.5 aṅgulas) for a related dimension in both length and breadth.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied śāstric knowledge—here, Vāstu/Śilpa canons—showing it functions as a practical manual for temple arts, image-making, and ritually correct construction.
Correct proportions are treated as part of ritual correctness (śāstrīya-vidhi) in consecrated images; adhering to prescribed measures supports the sanctity of worship and is traditionally regarded as merit-bearing due to faithful execution of dharmic injunctions.