Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 34
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
मूर्ध्वान्तो भूतभागेशो व्यक्ते ऽव्यक्ते च तद्वति पञ्चलिङ्गव्यवस्थायां शिरो वर्तुलमुच्यते
mūrdhvānto bhūtabhāgeśo vyakte 'vyakte ca tadvati pañcaliṅgavyavasthāyāṃ śiro vartulamucyate
ในระเบียบลึงคะห้าประการ ส่วนปลายบนสุดเรียกว่า ‘ภูตภาเคศะ’. และทั้งในแบบปรากฏ (วิยักตะ) และไม่ปรากฏ (อวิยักตะ) ศีรษะ (ศิระ) กล่าวกันว่าเป็นรูปกลม.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s technical instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Classification and shaping rules for the fivefold liṅga arrangement, specifying the upper terminal name and head-shape for manifest/unmanifest types.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañcaliṅga-vyavasthā: Bhūtabhāgeśa and circular śiras","lookup_keywords":["pañcaliṅga","bhūtabhāgeśa","vyakta","avyakta","śiras-vartula"],"quick_summary":"Defines the upper terminal portion in the fivefold liṅga scheme as Bhūtabhāgeśa and states that for both manifest and unmanifest types the head is circular."}
Concept: Name-and-form (nāma-rūpa) discipline in sacred objects: typology (vyakta/avyakta) still shares invariant head-form (circular śiras).
Application: Standardize liṅga carving and identification in temple workshops and during installation rites.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture & Iconometry)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A labeled diagram of a liṅga showing the upper terminal portion named Bhūtabhāgeśa and a clearly circular head, with side notes indicating vyakta and avyakta types.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural diagram: circular-headed liṅga with the top band labeled Bhūtabhāgeśa; two small side panels showing vyakta and avyakta variants; traditional floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore iconographic plate: circular śiras emphasized with gold embossing; the upper terminal band inscribed Bhūtabhāgeśa; rich reds and greens, temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional illustration: clean line diagram of liṅga with circular head; callouts for mūrdhānta and Bhūtabhāgeśa; workshop tools in margin.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal folio: artisan presenting a circular-headed liṅga model to a patron-priest; fine detailing, annotated margins naming Bhūtabhāgeśa and vyakta/avyakta."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यक्तेऽव्यक्ते = व्यक्ते + अव्यक्ते; मूर्ध्वान्तो = मूर्ध्वान्तः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga-lakṣaṇa and pañcavidha classifications)
FAQs
It gives an iconometric definition used in Śaiva worship and temple design: within the pañca-liṅga system, the liṅga’s upper terminal/head is specified—named Bhūtabhāgeśa—and its śiras is defined as circular, especially for vyakta and avyakta types.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical śāstra: precise terminology for parts and typologies of the Śiva-liṅga used in installation (pratiṣṭhā), worship (pūjā), and temple construction—showing its scope as a compendium of ritual-architectural knowledge.
Correct form and specification of the worship-object (liṅga) supports proper consecration and pūjā, which is traditionally held to enhance the efficacy of worship and the accrual of merit (puṇya) through accurate, śāstra-aligned practice.