Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
द्व्यङ्गुलं चाक्षिकोणं च द्व्यङ्गुलं चान्तरं तयोः तारा नेत्रत्रिभागेण दृक्तारा पञ्चमांशिका
dvyaṅgulaṃ cākṣikoṇaṃ ca dvyaṅgulaṃ cāntaraṃ tayoḥ tārā netratribhāgeṇa dṛktārā pañcamāṃśikā
มุมตาควรกำหนดเป็นสองอังคุละ และระยะระหว่างมุมทั้งสองก็เป็นสองอังคุละเช่นกัน ตารา (ม่านตา/ไอริส) ให้มีขนาดหนึ่งในสามของดวงตา และทฤกตารา (รูม่านตา) ให้เป็นหนึ่งในห้าของตารา
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic śilpa/vidyā material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Used by sculptors and painters to proportion the deity’s eyes (netra-pramāṇa) in icons so the face reads as auspicious and canonical.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Netra-pramāṇa: eye corner, iris and pupil ratios","lookup_keywords":["netra-pramāṇa","aṅgula-māna","tārā (iris)","dṛk-tārā (pupil)","pratimā-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Fix the eye-corner and inter-canthus spacing at 2 aṅgulas each; set iris to 1/3 of the eye and pupil to 1/5 of the iris for balanced, lifelike iconography."}
Concept: Śāstra-pramāṇa (canonical measure) as a means to manifest auspiciousness (maṅgalya) in form.
Application: Apply fixed ratios rather than subjective taste when drafting/painting the eyes of a mūrti.
Khanda Section: Shilpa–Shastra / Pratima–Lakshana (Iconography and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor’s measuring cord and aṅgula scale marking the eye: corners, spacing, iris circle, and pupil dot laid out on a deity’s face grid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, frontal deity face underdrawing with red-ochre grid, artisan hand marking netra corners and tārā/dṛk-tārā circles, flat colors, bold outlines, sacred workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style, close-up of deity face with large expressive eyes, gold foil highlights around eyelids, artisan measuring with aṅgula scale, rich reds and greens, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional plate showing eye proportions with labeled aṅgula measures, delicate lines, soft shading, minimal background, palm-leaf manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with master painter drawing an eye diagram on parchment, precise circles for iris and pupil, rulers and compasses, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cākṣikoṇaṃ = ca + अक्षिकोणम्; cāntaraṃ = ca + अन्तरम्; netratribhāgeṇa = नेत्र + त्रि + भागेण; dṛktārā = दृक् + तारा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa sections on mukha/śiras pramāṇa)
FAQs
It gives precise śilpa-śāstra proportions for sculpting/painting the eye in an image (pratimā): corner measure, spacing, and the relative sizes of iris (tārā) and pupil (dṛk-tārā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical standards for temple arts—iconographic geometry and measurement systems (aṅgula-based pramāṇa)—showing its coverage of applied sciences like vāstu and śilpa.
Correct proportions are treated as essential to a ‘proper’ sacred image; fidelity to pramāṇa supports ritual efficacy (pratiṣṭhā/arcana) and is traditionally regarded as meritorious because it aids accurate devotional representation.