Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
ध्वजाद्यायैः सुरैर् भूतैः शिखिभिर्वा हरेत् कृतिं तान्यङ्गुलानि यच्छेषं लक्षयेच्च शुभाशुभं
dhvajādyāyaiḥ surair bhūtaiḥ śikhibhirvā haret kṛtiṃ tānyaṅgulāni yaccheṣaṃ lakṣayecca śubhāśubhaṃ
หากรูปที่จัดทำแล้ว (กฤติ) ถูกพัดพาไปโดยธงหรือสัญญาณทำนองนั้น โดยเทพยดา วิญญาณ หรือโดยนก พึงสังเกตหน่วยอังคุละที่เหลืออยู่ แล้วพิจารณาจากส่วนที่เหลือนั้นว่าเป็นมงคลหรืออวมงคล
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Nimitta/śakuna assessment during ritual/architectural operations: interpreting loss or disturbance of a prepared measure/figure by agents (banner, beings, birds) and judging auspiciousness from the remaining aṅgulas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakuna by ‘remaining aṅgulas’ after kṛti is carried off","lookup_keywords":["nimitta","śakuna","kṛti-haraṇa","aṅgula-śeṣa","śubhāśubha"],"quick_summary":"If a prepared figure/measure is removed or disturbed by a portent (banner, spirits, birds), record the remaining aṅgula count; the remainder is then used to decide auspicious vs inauspicious outcome."}
Concept: Human action is to be aligned with observed signs; prudence (apramāda) in sacred works includes reading nimittas and adjusting conduct.
Application: Pause/redo/propitiate when inauspicious remainder-signs appear; proceed when remainder indicates śubha.
Khanda Section: Nimitta-śāstra / Śakuna-vidyā (Omens and prognostication)
Primary Rasa: bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram or measured layout is disturbed—carried off by a fluttering banner or seized by birds—while an officiant notes the remaining aṅgula marks to judge auspiciousness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple courtyard with a measured diagram on the ground, a banner tugging it, birds swooping; priest with palm-leaf tally noting remaining aṅgulas; dramatic but sacred palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: stylized banner and birds above a ritual layout, priest holding a golden-edged measuring strip with aṅgula ticks; ornate frame, symbolic depiction of śubha/āśubha.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear didactic scene—measuring rod, remaining segment highlighted, scribe recording the śeṣa; minimal background, emphasis on the calculation step.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard scene with attendants reacting as birds snatch a prepared cloth/figure; astrologer-priest calmly measures the remainder with a rule; fine detail and narrative tension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिखिभिर्वा = śikhibhiḥ + vā; तान्यङ्गुलानि = tāni + aṅgulāni; लक्षयेच्च = lakṣayet + ca; शुभाशुभं = śubha-aśubham (dvandva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (Nimitta-śāstra/śakuna subsections on remainders and portents)
FAQs
It teaches a nimitta/śakuna method: if a prepared ritual figure or measured form is disturbed or carried away by specific agents (banner-like signs, divine/spirital forces, birds), interpret the omen by examining the remaining aṅgula-measures to judge auspicious vs. inauspicious outcomes.
Beyond theology, it preserves a practical divination protocol (nimitta-śāstra): classification of omen-agents and a rule-based interpretation using measurable remainders—showing the text’s coverage of applied prognostics alongside ritual and dharma topics.
It frames unexpected disturbances during preparations as meaningful signs; correctly reading them helps align actions with dharmic timing, avoiding inauspicious undertakings and supporting ritually “clean” outcomes.