Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
चतुःषष्ट्यङ्गुलं कार्यं वेष्टनं वक्षसःस्फुटम् चतुर्मुखञ्च तदधोवेष्टनं परिकीर्तितम्
catuḥṣaṣṭyaṅgulaṃ kāryaṃ veṣṭanaṃ vakṣasaḥsphuṭam caturmukhañca tadadhoveṣṭanaṃ parikīrtitam
การพันผ้า/การจัดผ้าคาดบนอกที่กว้างพึงทำให้มีขนาดหกสิบสี่อังคุละ และผ้าพันส่วนล่างใต้ลงไปนั้นกล่าวว่าเป็น ‘จตุรมุข’ คือจัดเป็นสี่พับ/สี่ด้าน
Lord Agni (narrating) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Setting canonical garment-band (veṣṭana) measurements and fold-structure while sculpting/painting a deity or ideal figure so the icon conforms to śilpa canons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vakṣaḥ-veṣṭana (Chest wrapping) and Caturmukha-adho-veṣṭana (four-fold lower wrap) measurement","lookup_keywords":["veṣṭana","vakṣas","catuḥṣaṣṭi-aṅgula","caturmukha","pratimā-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a 64-aṅgula measure for the chest wrap and defines the lower wrap as ‘caturmukha’, i.e., arranged with four faces/folds for correct iconographic drapery."}
Concept: Rūpa-niyama (rule-governed form) as a means to preserve sacred aesthetics and recognizability of icons.
Application: Use fixed measures and named drapery-forms to standardize icon production across workshops and generations.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Shilpa-shastra (Iconometry and sacred measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor marks a deity’s torso with aṅgula units and lays out a chest-band and a lower garment arranged in four neat folds (caturmukha).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, artisan measuring a divine figure’s broad chest with aṅgula marks, red-ochre and green palette, clear four-fold lower wrap, sacred workshop setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, frontal standing deity with ornate chest-band measured and highlighted, four-fold lower drape emphasized, gold leaf detailing on garment borders, temple atelier background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like deity torso with measurement ticks, labeled veṣṭana and caturmukha folds, soft shading and delicate linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court atelier scene with master craftsman using a measuring strip on a statue’s chest, assistants sketching four-fold drapery, fine textile patterns and architectural studio interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥṣaṣṭyaṅgulam → catuḥṣaṣṭi-aṅgulam; vakṣasaḥsphuṭam → vakṣasaḥ-sphuṭam; caturmukhañca → catur-mukham ca; tadadhoveṣṭanam → tad-adhaḥ-veṣṭanam
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa / aṅgula-pramāṇa sections)
FAQs
It gives a precise iconometric rule: the chest-wrapping (veṣṭana) should measure 64 aṅgulas, and the lower wrapping is to be arranged in a four-sided/four-fold manner (caturmukha).
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical standards from Vastu–Shilpa traditions—practical instructions for crafting or depicting sacred forms with standardized measurements and garment arrangements.
Correct proportion and prescribed arrangement in sacred images/ritual representations is traditionally held to maintain ritual efficacy, aesthetic sanctity, and devotional purity, supporting merit (puṇya) through accurate sacred craftsmanship.