Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 45 — Piṇḍikā-Lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Measurements of the Pedestal/Plinth
कर्णपाशो धिकः कार्यः सृक्कणीसमसूत्रतः नम्रं कलाविहीनन्तु कुर्यादंशद्वयं तथा
karṇapāśo dhikaḥ kāryaḥ sṛkkaṇīsamasūtrataḥ namraṃ kalāvihīnantu kuryādaṃśadvayaṃ tathā
กัรณปาศะพึงทำให้ใหญ่ขึ้นเล็กน้อย และจัดให้อยู่ในแนวเส้นกำกับเดียวกับมุมปาก (สฤกกณี) อีกทั้งพึงทำให้ลาดเอียงอย่างอ่อนถึงสองอังศะ โดยไม่เพิ่มการแบ่งย่อย ‘กะลา’
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vashistha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Set the size, alignment, and slope of the karṇapāśa (ear-loop/ear-ornament) relative to mouth corners using a guiding line; avoid extra kalā subdivision; apply a two-part slope for elegance and correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karṇapāśa Alignment with Sṛkkaṇī-sūtra","lookup_keywords":["karṇapāśa","sṛkkaṇī","sūtra","kalā-vihīna","aṃśa-dvaya"],"quick_summary":"Make the ear-loop slightly larger, align it to the same reference line as the mouth corners, give it a gentle slope, and keep it without extra kalā subdivision—specified to prevent proportional faults."}
Concept: Sūtra (guiding line) and kalā (subdivision) are technical instruments; restraint (kalā-vihīna where prescribed) is part of śobha—ornament must obey structure.
Application: Use reference lines across facial landmarks to keep ornaments harmonized; avoid over-complication when the canon demands simplicity.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan draws a straight guideline from mouth corners to align the ear ornament; the karṇapāśa is shown slightly enlarged and gently sloping, with notes indicating ‘no extra kalā’ and ‘two-part’ extent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, profile/three-quarter deity head with bold guideline from sṛkkaṇī to ear, karṇapāśa ornament emphasized, earthy palette, stylized jewelry patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly jeweled deity with prominent ear ornament, gold foil highlighting the karṇapāśa, subtle compositional line aligning mouth corner and ear, ornate background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration: head diagram with sūtra line, labeled sṛkkaṇī, karṇapāśa, aṃśa-dvaya slope, minimal decorative kalā, clean didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, craftsman holding a fine ruler/string to align ear ornament on a painted portrait panel, delicate rendering of jewelry and facial landmarks, precise geometry implied."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धिकः = अधिकः (a-लोप in some recensions); सृक्कणीसमसूत्रतः = सृक्कणी + सम + सूत्रतः; कलाविहीनन्तु = कलाविहीनम् + तु; कुर्यादंशद्वयम् = कुर्यात् + अंशद्वयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 45 (facial and ornament pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It gives iconometric (pratimā-lakṣaṇa) guidance: how to size and align the ear-loop/ear-ornament relative to the mouth-corners using a common guide-line, and how much slope and proportion (“two parts”) to apply without extra decorative subdivision (kalā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical Shilpa-shastra—precise sculptural and measurement rules used for temple images—showing its coverage of applied arts alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences.
Correct proportions and alignment are treated as essential for a ritually valid, aesthetically proper sacred image; accurate construction supports proper consecration and effective worship, which is traditionally linked with merit (puṇya) and purity in temple practice.