Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
प्रतिमा भूषणाढ्या स्यादेतदुद्देशलक्षणम् अनयैव दिशा कार्यं लोके दृष्ट्वा तु लक्षणम्
pratimā bhūṣaṇāḍhyā syādetaduddeśalakṣaṇam anayaiva diśā kāryaṃ loke dṛṣṭvā tu lakṣaṇam
เทวรูปควรประดับด้วยเครื่องอลังการอย่างสมบูรณ์—นี่คือ “ลักษณะทั่วไป” ที่กล่าวไว้ ณ ที่นี้ และพึงจัดวางทิศทางตามวิธีนี้เอง โดยพิจารณาเครื่องหมายลักษณะต่าง ๆ ตามที่พบเห็นในโลก
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guidelines for crafting and installing a deity image: ornamentation standards and correct directional/orientational placement based on observable auspicious marks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sāmānya-pratimā-lakṣaṇa (General icon characteristics and orientation)","lookup_keywords":["pratimā-lakṣaṇa","bhūṣaṇa","diśā-nyāsa","mūrti-nirmāṇa","loka-dṛṣṭa-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"A proper icon is richly ornamented and oriented according to recognized auspicious marks observed in established worldly/śilpa conventions. Use this as a baseline rule before specifying deity-specific attributes."}
Concept: Pramāṇa by established convention: śilpa rules align with ‘loka-dṛṣṭa’ auspicious marks and orderly orientation.
Application: When uncertain, follow widely attested iconographic conventions and visible auspicious markers to decide orientation and finishing.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shilpa & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography and temple/installation guidelines)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor and sthapati examine an adorned deity image, checking auspicious marks and aligning it to the correct direction before installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, sthapati with palm-leaf manual indicating directions, richly ornamented pratimā on workshop platform, warm earthy palette, clear linework, sacred geometry hints","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central adorned deity icon with heavy jewelry and halo, craftsmen at sides measuring and indicating cardinal directions, gold leaf highlights on ornaments and borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional workshop scene: icon on stand, measuring cords, compass-like directional diagram, delicate shading, emphasis on ornament details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with artisans observing auspicious marks on an idol, architectural backdrop with directional markers, fine textiles and precise ornament rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यादेतदुद्देशलक्षणम् = स्यात् + एतत् + उद्देशलक्षणम्; अनयैव = अनया + एव; पादच्छेदे ‘दिशा कार्यं’ तृतीया-सम्बन्धेन ‘अनया दिशा’ इति।
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa section); Agni Purāṇa 45 (Piṇḍikā/pedestal rules, continuation of installation logic)
FAQs
It gives iconographic and ritual-practical guidance: a pratimā should be ornamented properly, and its orientation (diśā) should be arranged according to observable defining marks and established practice.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied knowledge—here, śilpa/vāstu and pratimā-lakṣaṇa—showing how sacred art and temple practice are standardized through technical definitions and orientation rules.
Proper adornment and correct orientation help ensure the icon’s suitability for worship, supporting orderly ritual (pūjā) and the intended religious merit by aligning practice with recognized lakṣaṇas (authoritative marks).