Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
कार्यं सूत्रद्वयं पादे जङ्घामध्ये तथापरं जानौ सूत्रद्वयं कार्यमूरूमध्ये तथापरं
kāryaṃ sūtradvayaṃ pāde jaṅghāmadhye tathāparaṃ jānau sūtradvayaṃ kāryamūrūmadhye tathāparaṃ
ให้วางเชือกวัดสองเส้นที่เท้า; และวางอีกหนึ่งคู่ที่กึ่งกลางน่อง. ที่หัวเข่าให้วางสองเส้น; และที่กึ่งกลางต้นขาก็วางอีกหนึ่งคู่เช่นกัน.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Step-by-step placement of measuring cords to transfer tāla proportions onto the icon’s limbs during carving/casting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sūtra-nyāsa for pāda–jaṅghā–jānu–ūru (cord placements)","lookup_keywords":["sūtra-nyāsa","pāda-māna","jānu-māna","ūru-madhya","jaṅghā-madhya"],"quick_summary":"Gives a procedural sequence for placing paired cords at key limb points (foot, mid-calf, knee, mid-thigh) to standardize measurements while constructing the icon."}
Concept: Kriyā (procedure) safeguards śāstra-pramāṇa (scriptural measure).
Application: Use repeated paired markings to keep symmetry and prevent cumulative measurement drift across limbs.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Pratima-Lakshana (Iconometry and sacred measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan wraps paired measuring cords around the foot, mid-calf, knee, and mid-thigh of a standing icon outline, creating evenly spaced reference bands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan applying paired white cords at pāda, jaṅghā-madhya, jānu, ūru-madhya on a standing figure outline, bold contours, minimal background, palm-leaf text nearby.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold highlights on the cords and ornaments, craftsman marking the limb bands, rich textile-like background, sacred workshop ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: figure with four marked bands, artisan holding measuring cord and stylus, fine shading and delicate borders.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature atelier: master and apprentice measuring a model, paired cords visible at limb points, detailed tools (calipers, cord spool), ornate margin illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sūtradvayaṃ → sūtra-dvayam; jaṅghāmadhye → jaṅghā-madhye; tathāparaṃ → tathā + aparam; kāryamūrūmadhye → kāryam + ūru-madhye.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa adhyāya 44: sūtra, tāla, aṅga-pramāṇa instructions (preceding/following verses)
FAQs
It teaches sūtra-nyāsa—where to place pairs of measuring cords on the lower limb (foot, mid-calf, knee, mid-thigh) as part of iconometric layout for an image or figure.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical śilpa/ वास्तु procedures—precise craft-instructions used by artisans for proportioning sacred forms—showing the Purana’s coverage of technical arts alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportioning of sacred forms is treated as dharmic craftsmanship: accuracy supports ritual efficacy, aesthetic auspiciousness, and the purity of worship conducted through properly made images.