Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
वामनो वर्तुलश्चातिह्रस्वो नीलः सविन्दुकः श्यामस्त्रिविक्रमो दक्षरेखो वामेन विन्दुकः
vāmano vartulaścātihrasvo nīlaḥ savindukaḥ śyāmastrivikramo dakṣarekho vāmena vindukaḥ
วามนะมีรูปกลมและเตี้ยยิ่งนัก; มีสีน้ำเงินเข้มและมีเครื่องหมายบิณฑุ. ตริวิกรมะมีผิวคล้ำ; มีเส้น/แถบเป็นเครื่องหมายทางขวา และมีบิณฑุเป็นเครื่องหมายทางซ้าย.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Differentiates Vāmana and Trivikrama forms through body-proportion and mark-placement (rekhā/bindu), supporting correct sculptural proportions, painting, and pūjā-dhyāna identification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vāmana–Trivikrama: proportion, complexion, and mark-placement","lookup_keywords":["Vamana atihrasva","Trivikrama shyama","daksha rekha","vama bindu","Vishnu rupa lakshana"],"quick_summary":"Gives quick identifiers: Vāmana is round and very short, dark-blue with a bindu; Trivikrama is dark-complexioned with a right-side line and a left-side bindu—used to distinguish the two avatāra-forms."}
Concept: One divinity manifests multiple avatāra-forms; form-difference is purposeful and ritually meaningful, hence preserved through lakṣaṇa.
Application: In festivals and icon sets, ensure Vāmana’s dwarf-proportion and Trivikrama’s distinct mark-placement to prevent misidentification in mantra/dhyāna and offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of Vishnu’s forms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-panel iconographic comparison: Vāmana as a compact, very short dark-blue figure with a clear bindu mark; Trivikrama as a taller dark figure with a right-side stripe and left-side bindu, posed in a stride-ready stance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diptych: left Vāmana small and round, deep blue, bindu marked; right Trivikrama darker, with a white/gold right-side stripe and left bindu; stylized stride motif; ornate temple-border patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vāmana dwarf-form with gold ornaments and halo; Trivikrama larger with emphasized right-side stripe in gold relief and a small gem-like bindu on left; rich red background, embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional composition with proportional grid hints; Vāmana shown short and round; Trivikrama shown taller with marked right stripe and left bindu; subtle gold and pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: comparative portrait study on a manuscript page; Vāmana small figure with bindu; Trivikrama in dynamic poised stance with a visible right-side stripe; fine textile and border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वर्तुलश्चातिह्रस्वो → वर्तुलः च अतिह्रस्वः; श्यामस्त्रिविक्रमो → श्यामः त्रिविक्रमः; दक्षरेखो → दक्षरेखः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 46.11 (Trivikrama naming via cakra-count); Agni Purana 46 (Viṣṇu-form lakṣaṇa series)
FAQs
It gives iconographic diagnostics for carving/identifying Vāmana and Trivikrama images—body proportions (very short, rounded) and specific bodily marks (bindu/dot and right/left line-mark) used in temple installation and worship.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical śilpa- and pūjā-oriented specifications (murti-lakṣaṇa), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied temple arts and ritual standards, not only narrative myth.
Correctly forming and recognizing the deity’s sanctioned marks supports proper consecration and worship; accurate iconography is treated as enabling orderly devotion and the intended religious merit of pūjā.