Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
परिणाहस् तथा कट्या चतुःपञ्चाशदङ्गुलैः विस्तारश्चोरुमूले तु प्रोच्यते द्वादशङ्गुलः
pariṇāhas tathā kaṭyā catuḥpañcāśadaṅgulaiḥ vistāraścorumūle tu procyate dvādaśaṅgulaḥ
เส้นรอบวงที่เอวพึงเป็นสี่สิบสี่อังคุละ และความกว้างที่โคนขาพึงกล่าวว่าเป็นสิบสองอังคุละ
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fixing waist and thigh-root proportions in sculpture/painting to maintain idealized anatomy per pratimā-lakṣaṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kaṭi-pariṇāha (waist circumference) and Ūru-mūla-vistāra (thigh-root breadth) measures","lookup_keywords":["kaṭi","pariṇāha","catuḥpañcāśat-aṅgula","ūru-mūla","vistāra"],"quick_summary":"Gives standard measures: waist circumference 44 aṅgulas and thigh-root breadth 12 aṅgulas for canonical icon proportions."}
Concept: Pramāṇa as authority: bodily harmony is achieved through fixed numeric relations rather than subjective taste.
Application: Workshop templates and grids can be derived from these numbers to ensure consistent waist–thigh transitions in icons.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Śāstra / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconography and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A standing icon figure with highlighted waist circumference and thigh-root breadth, with measurement lines and aṅgula ticks drawn by a sculptor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized figure with marked kaṭi and ūru-mūla, artisan holding palm-leaf manual, earthy reds and greens, temple workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly adorned figure with waist belt; subtle measurement annotations around kaṭi and thigh-root, gold borders emphasizing proportional zones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional overlay showing 44-aṅgula waist circumference and 12-aṅgula thigh-root breadth, fine lines and muted colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier with draftsman using compass/string to indicate waist circumference and thigh breadth on a figure study, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥpañcāśadaṅgulaiḥ → catuḥpañcāśat-aṅgulaiḥ; vistāraścorumūle → vistāraḥ ca ūru-mūle; dvādaśaṅgulaḥ → dvādaśa-aṅgulaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (aṅgula-pramāṇa and limb measures around kaṭi/ūru)
FAQs
It gives precise iconometric standards (māna) for sculpting or depicting a figure: the waist circumference (44 aṅgulas) and the thigh-base breadth (12 aṅgulas).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical Śilpa/Vāstu knowledge—standardized measurements used in temple art and image-making—showing its role as a compendium of technical sciences.
Correct proportions are traditionally held to ensure the image is ritually fit (pratiṣṭhā-yogya), supporting proper worship and the intended sacred efficacy of the deity’s form.