Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
आठः द्वात्रिंशत्षोडशार्धञ्चेति ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः विंशतिस्त्रिगुणैस्तथेति घ, चिह्नितपुसुतकपाठः वनलिङ्गं भवेद्वरमिति ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः चललिङ्गं भवेद् ध्रुवमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः एवं स्युर्नव सूत्राणि भूतसूत्रैश् च मध्यमं द्व्यन्तरो वामवामञ्च लिङ्गानां दीर्घता नव
āṭhaḥ dvātriṃśatṣoḍaśārdhañceti ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ viṃśatistriguṇaistatheti gha, cihnitapusutakapāṭhaḥ vanaliṅgaṃ bhavedvaramiti ga, gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ calaliṅgaṃ bhaved dhruvamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ evaṃ syurnava sūtrāṇi bhūtasūtraiś ca madhyamaṃ dvyantaro vāmavāmañca liṅgānāṃ dīrghatā nava
ดังนี้มี “สูตรวัด” (สุตฺร) ทั้งเก้าสาย สายกลางเรียกว่า “ภูตสูตร” คือเส้นอ้างอิงศูนย์กลาง มีสูตรคั่นกลางสองสาย และมีสูตรด้านซ้ายกับซ้ายยิ่ง (แนวข้าง) ด้วย โดยอาศัยสิ่งเหล่านี้ ความยาวและสัดส่วนของลึงค์จึงกำหนดได้เป็นมาตรฐานเก้าประการ (ในคัมภีร์บางฉบับยังกล่าวถึงตัวเลข 8, 32, 16½ และลักษณะลึงค์ว่า ‘ประเสริฐ’ หรือ ‘มั่นคง’ ตามประเภท)
Lord Agni (in dialogue narration typical of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting out the iconometric grid (sūtra-lines) for sizing and positioning a Śiva-liṅga during temple/altar layout and installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Navāṅga-sūtra (Nine measuring-cords) for Liṅga-proportioning","lookup_keywords":["nava-sutra","bhuta-sutra","linga-mana","pratishtha-sutra","vastu-rekha"],"quick_summary":"Establish nine standard measuring-cords with the bhūta-sūtra as the central reference; using these lateral and intermediate lines, determine liṅga lengths in standardized proportion-sets (with noted manuscript variants)."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct pramāṇa (measure) and sūtra-nyāsa (layout lines).
Application: Use a fixed central reference line and symmetric laterals to avoid iconometric error in liṅga sizing and placement.
Khanda Section: Shiva-linga Pratishtha & Temple Measurement (Vastu–Shilpa / Puja-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple architect-priest lays out nine measuring cords on a sanctum floor plan, marking the central bhūta-sūtra and symmetric intermediate and lateral lines, with a liṅga outline being proportioned from these guides.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, a sthapati and priest inside a garbhagriha outline, nine taut cords drawn on the floor with the central bhuta-sutra highlighted, palm-leaf manuscript on the side, sacred geometry emphasis, traditional ornament borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold work, sanctum layout diagram rendered as sacred geometry, priest holding measuring cord and stylus, stylized liṅga outline at center, rich reds and greens, gold highlights on cords and ritual vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional scene of sūtra-nyāsa: central line, intermediate lines, left and further-left laterals labeled, sthapati demonstrating proportions for liṅga length, minimal background architecture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architectural plan view of a shrine floor, artisans stretching cords and marking points, fine calligraphic labels for sūtras, subdued pigments with precise geometry, manuscript-illustration feel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Text contains multiple manuscript-variant notes; core analyzable segment taken as: 'एवं स्युः नव सूत्राणि भूतसूत्रैः च मध्यमम् द्व्यन्तरः वामवामम् च लिङ्गानाम् दीर्घता नव'. Sandhi: स्युः+नव→स्युर्नव; भूतसूत्रैः+च→भूतसूत्रैश्च; वामवामम्+च→वामवामञ्च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (Vāstu–Śilpa: liṅga-māna and pratiṣṭhā context)
FAQs
It teaches an iconometric measuring system for Śiva-liṅgas: nine sūtras (measurement lines/cords) with a central bhūta-sūtra and lateral/intermediate references used to standardize length and proportions for installation.
It shows the Purana functioning as a practical manual of Vāstu–śilpa and ritual engineering—preserving technical standards (measurement lines, proportional categories, manuscript variants) alongside theology.
Correct proportioning and alignment are treated as prerequisites for a properly established liṅga; accurate measurements support ritual validity, stability of worship, and the intended religious merit of consecration.