Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
भूतये वस्त्रलिङ्गन्तु लिङ्गन्तात्कालिकं विदुः पक्वापक्वं मृण्मयं स्यादपक्वात् पक्वजं वरं
bhūtaye vastraliṅgantu liṅgantātkālikaṃ viduḥ pakvāpakvaṃ mṛṇmayaṃ syādapakvāt pakvajaṃ varaṃ
เพื่อความรุ่งเรือง (ภูติ) ได้กำหนดลึงค์ที่ทำด้วยผ้าไว้ และบัณฑิตทั้งหลายถือว่าลึงค์แบบกาลิกะ (ทำด้วยเนื้อผสม/วัสดุพอก) ประเสริฐกว่าลึงค์ผ้า ลึงค์ที่ทำด้วยดินมีทั้งแบบเผาและไม่เผา โดยแบบเผาดีกว่าแบบไม่เผา.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for selecting appropriate temporary/ritual liṅga materials (cloth, paste/compound, baked/unbaked clay) with stated hierarchy for desired prosperity and quality.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Hierarchy of temporary liṅga materials: cloth, paste (kālika), baked/unbaked clay","lookup_keywords":["vastra-liṅga","kālika-liṅga","mṛṇmaya-liṅga","pakva-apakva","bhūti"],"quick_summary":"Ranks liṅga materials for ritual making: cloth for prosperity, paste/compound superior to cloth, and baked clay superior to unbaked clay."}
Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) of materials in worship and graded efficacy (tāratamya).
Application: For short-term worship, choose accessible materials but prefer more stable/pure forms (e.g., baked clay) when possible; follow the stated hierarchy to align intention and method.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Linga/Nirmalya & ritual materials)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Ritual preparation table showing different liṅga materials: a cloth-formed liṅga, a paste/compound liṅga, and clay liṅgas—one baked and one unbaked—arranged to show hierarchy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, priest preparing multiple temporary liṅgas on banana-leaf mats: cloth-wrapped form, dark paste form, reddish baked clay and pale unbaked clay, ritual lamps and vessels, temple courtyard feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ceremonial display of four liṅga types on ornate plates with gold accents, priest in traditional attire, rich gold leaf borders, emphasis on prosperity (bhūti) symbolism.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional layout of liṅga materials with neat separation and labels, soft colors, focus on baked vs unbaked clay distinction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like ritual scene with a scholar-priest explaining material hierarchy to patrons, trays holding cloth, paste, baked clay, unbaked clay liṅgas, fine textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vastraliṅgantu = vastra-liṅgam + tu; liṅgantātkālikaṃ = liṅgāt + tāt-kālikam; syādapakvāt = syāt + apakvāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (material-specific liṅgas, continuing)
FAQs
It gives a practical hierarchy of acceptable liṅga materials used in worship—cloth-liṅga, paste/compound (kālika) liṅga, and clay liṅga—stating that fired (baked) clay is preferable to unfired clay.
By cataloguing even fine-grained ritual details—such as which construction materials are suitable and more meritorious for a worship-icon—the text functions like a manual spanning iconography, ritual procedure, and graded religious efficacy.
The verse links correct material choice with desired results (bhūti/prosperity) and implies that higher-grade, more stable ritual forms (e.g., fired clay) are spiritually preferable and yield better merit than inferior or less durable substitutes.