Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
मत्स्यो दीर्घस्त्रिविन्दुः स्यात् काचवर्णस्तु पूरितः श्रीधरो वनमालाङ्कः पञ्जरेखस्तु वर्तुलः
matsyo dīrghastrivinduḥ syāt kācavarṇastu pūritaḥ śrīdharo vanamālāṅkaḥ pañjarekhastu vartulaḥ
เครื่องหมาย ‘ปลา’ ควรยาวและมีบิณฑุสามจุด; มีสีดุจกระจก/ผลึกและดูเต็มสมบูรณ์. นั่นคือศรีธระ ผู้ประดับด้วยวนมาลา (พวงมาลัยป่า); เส้นบริเวณซี่โครง/อกควรเป็นวงกลม.
Lord Agni (instructional narration within Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guides artisans/priests in recognizing the ‘matsya’ auspicious mark and associated form-name (Śrīdhara) and ornaments (vanamālā), aiding correct icon identification and ritual visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Matsya-chihna (fish mark): form, color, dots, and associated Śrīdhara traits","lookup_keywords":["matsya chihna trivindhu","kacha varna","vanamala","panjara rekha","sridhara lakshana"],"quick_summary":"Defines the fish-mark as elongated, triple-dotted, crystal-lustrous and ‘filled’; links it with Śrīdhara bearing vanamālā, and specifies circular rib/chest lines—used for iconographic/physiognomic verification."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa (marks) function as pramāṇa for correct deity-recognition and correct dhyāna; outer sign supports inner recollection.
Application: When painting/sculpting or selecting an icon, verify matsya-chihna features and vanamālā to match the intended Śrīdhara form.
Khanda Section: Lakshana-shastra (Samudrika / Iconographic & physiognomic marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close-up, diagram-like depiction of the ‘fish’ auspicious mark: elongated fish motif with three dots, crystal-like sheen; Śrīdhara shown with vanamālā and circular chest/rib line patterns emphasized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural close-up panel: Śrīdhara with vanamālā, deep green foliage garland; highlighted matsya-chihna with three white bindu dots; circular chest line motifs rendered in fine white strokes; flat background with lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: Śrīdhara seated/standing with heavy gold ornaments and vanamālā; fish-mark with three raised gem-like dots; glossy crystal effect; gold halo and embossed detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional clarity, soft shading; inset diagram of matsya-chihna (elongated with three dots) beside Śrīdhara; circular chest-line pattern carefully drawn; minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: painterly study sheet with a deity figure and a marginal illustration of the fish-mark; delicate stippling for crystal luster; botanical vanamālā rendered naturalistically."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दीर्घस्त्रिविन्दुः → दीर्घः त्रिविन्दुः; काचवर्णस्तु → काचवर्णः तु; वनमालाङ्कः → वनमाला-अङ्कः; पञ्जरेखस्तु → पञ्जरेखः तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46 (Samudrika/Murti-lakṣaṇa sequence); Agni Purana 46.9–46.11 (other Viṣṇu-form identifiers)
FAQs
It gives technical lakṣaṇa (iconographic/physiognomic) specifications—shape, dot-count, luster/color, fullness, and associated motifs (Śrīdhara, vanamālā; circular rib/chest lines) used to identify or depict auspicious forms.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves a practical catalog of lakṣaṇa standards—details used in image-making, description of divine/ideal bodies, and traditional diagnostics of auspicious signs—showing the text’s coverage of applied śāstric knowledge.
Such auspicious marks are treated as indicators of śrī (prosperity) and dharmic merit; recognizing or depicting them correctly supports right worship, right representation of divinity, and alignment with auspicious qualities.