Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 28
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
सप्तदशाङ्गुलो मध्ये कूर्पारोर्धे च षोडश कूर्पारस्य भवेन्नाहः त्रिगुणः कमलोद्भव
saptadaśāṅgulo madhye kūrpārordhe ca ṣoḍaśa kūrpārasya bhavennāhaḥ triguṇaḥ kamalodbhava
โอ้ผู้บังเกิดจากดอกบัว! ตรงกลางมีขนาดสิบเจ็ดอังคุละ และเหนือข้อศอกมีสิบหกอังคุละ. เส้นรอบวง (นาหะ) บริเวณข้อศอกกล่าวว่าเป็นสามเท่า.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Used to set mid-arm and above-elbow lengths and elbow-region girth while drafting or executing iconometric plans; ensures proportional continuity from upper arm to elbow and forearm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pramāṇa: Madhya-māna, kūrpara-ūrdhva māna, and kūrpara-nāha","lookup_keywords":["kūrpara māna","nāha","aṅgula pramāṇa","madhya 17","Brahmā kamalodbhava"],"quick_summary":"Specifies arm segment lengths (17 and 16 aṅgulas) and states that elbow-region circumference is threefold of the standard. Provides a concrete rule for shaping the elbow transition."}
Concept: Order (krama) and measure (pramāṇa) as the basis of beauty and auspicious embodiment in sacred art.
Application: Model joints with prescribed girth ratios to avoid awkward anatomy and maintain śāstric acceptability.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Pramana-shastra (Iconometry and measurement canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor shapes the elbow joint of a deity statue, using a caliper/cord to check 17- and 16-aṅgula segments; a diagram shows the elbow circumference as ‘3×’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan at stone murti focusing on elbow (kūrpara), measurement cord wrapped to show nāha, palm-leaf diagram with ‘3×’, muted temple-workshop palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, close-up emphasis on deity arm with gold-highlighted measurement bands at 17 and 16 aṅgulas, artisan and tools, ornate border and gilded annotations","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic labeled diagram of arm segments and elbow girth ratio, fine lines and soft colors, artisan pointing to ‘kūrpara-nāha = triguṇa’","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier with draftsman drawing arm proportions, sculptor measuring elbow with cord, marginal notes in neat script indicating 17/16 aṅgulas and 3-fold girth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: saptadaśāṅgulo → sapta-daśa-aṅgulaḥ; kūrpārordhe → kūrpāra-ūrdhve; bhavennāhaḥ → bhavet + nāhaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (nāha/pariṇāha definitions across limbs)
FAQs
It gives iconometric standards (aṅgula-based pramāṇa) for the mid-region, the upper elbow region, and the elbow’s circumference—useful in sculptural/architectural canons (śilpa-vidyā/ vastu-pramāṇa).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, precise measurement rules used in image-making and design—showing its coverage of arts, architecture, and practical standards.
Correct proportions are traditionally held to ensure a ritually valid and spiritually efficacious form (pratiṣṭhā-yogya), supporting proper worship outcomes and avoiding defects (doṣa) in sacred construction.