Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 29
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
नाहः प्रबाहुमध्ये तु षोडशाङ्गुल उच्यते अग्रहस्ते परीणाहो द्वादशाङ्गुल उच्यते
nāhaḥ prabāhumadhye tu ṣoḍaśāṅgula ucyate agrahaste parīṇāho dvādaśāṅgula ucyate
นาหะ (เส้นรอบวง/ขนาด) ที่กึ่งกลางท่อนแขนกล่าวว่าเป็นสิบหกอังคุละ และที่ส่วนหน้าของมือ (อัครหัสดะ) เส้นรอบวงกล่าวว่าเป็นสิบสองอังคุละ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Provides circumference standards for forearm midsection and front of the hand; used to maintain tapering and realistic-yet-canonical volumetrics in mūrti carving/casting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nāha-pramāṇa: Prabāhu-madhya and Agra-hasta","lookup_keywords":["nāha pramāṇa","prabāhu madhya","agra-hasta","aṅgula","forearm taper"],"quick_summary":"States that forearm-mid circumference is 16 aṅgulas and hand-front circumference is 12 aṅgulas. Ensures correct taper from forearm to hand in iconometric modeling."}
Concept: From gross to subtle: measured reduction (saṅkoca) produces harmony in form.
Application: Apply stated circumferences to avoid overly thick hands or thin forearms; improves visual balance and mudrā readability.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Pramana-shastra (iconography & measurement canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measuring cord is wrapped around a deity’s forearm midsection and then around the front of the hand; the sculptor marks 16 and 12 aṅgula bands before refining the contours.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of artisan wrapping cord around forearm and hand of murti, visible aṅgula ticks, minimal background with temple workshop motifs, warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, stylized deity arm with gold bands marking 16 and 12 aṅgulas, artisan tools in foreground, rich reds/greens, ornate gilded frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional plate: two circular measurement diagrams labeled prabāhu-madhya (16) and agra-hasta (12), artisan demonstrating with cord, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of measuring cord and calipers, scribe noting ‘16’ and ‘12’ in margin, refined workshop interior"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prabāhumadhye → prabāhu-madhye; ṣoḍaśāṅgula → ṣoḍaśa-aṅgulaḥ; agrahaste → agra-haste; dvādaśāṅgula → dvādaśa-aṅgulaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (hand/palm measures continuing in subsequent verses)
FAQs
It gives a precise pramāṇa (measurement canon) for girth/circumference at two points—mid-forearm (16 aṅgulas) and the front of the hand (12 aṅgulas)—used in Vāstu/Śilpa calculations and proportional standards.
Beyond theology, it preserves technical standards of traditional Indian measurement (aṅgula-based pramāṇa) applied in architecture and iconography—showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of practical sciences.
By prescribing correct proportions, it supports dharmic construction and accurate sacred representation; fidelity to pramāṇa is traditionally held to enhance auspiciousness and merit in temple/image-making.