Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
चतुर्भागात्मके लिङ्गेत्रपुषं द्वयलोपनात् अनाद्यस्य शिरः प्रोक्तमर्धचन्द्रं शिरः शृणु
caturbhāgātmake liṅgetrapuṣaṃ dvayalopanāt anādyasya śiraḥ proktamardhacandraṃ śiraḥ śṛṇu
ในลึงค์ที่กำหนดว่าเป็นสี่ส่วน เมื่อเว้นสองส่วนของตอนบนที่เรียกว่า ตรปุษะ จึงกล่าวถึงรูปศีรษะชื่อ ‘อนาทยะ’. บัดนี้จงฟังรูปศีรษะชื่อ ‘อรรธจันทร’ คือครึ่งจันทร์.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Standardizing Śiva-liṅga construction/selection by part-division and prescribed ‘head-forms’ (śiraḥ-bheda) used for installation and worship protocols.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Caturbhāga-liṅga: Anādya-śiras and introduction to Ardhacandra-śiras","lookup_keywords":["Śiva-liṅga","caturbhāga","Anādya-śiras","Ardhacandra","liṅga-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a four-part liṅga model and specifies how omitting two portions of an upper segment yields the Anādya head-form, then transitions to the Ardhacandra head-form."}
Concept: Correct form (rūpa) as a prerequisite for correct worship (pūjā) and consecration efficacy.
Application: Temple artisans and priests apply the head-form rules to craft/select liṅgas aligned with ritual manuals.
Khanda Section: Shiva-Linga Lakshana & Puja-vidhi (Iconography and ritual standards)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A four-part schematic of a Śiva-liṅga with the top segment shown in variants: Anādya (two portions omitted) and the half-moon (Ardhacandra) profile previewed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sanctum-like setting with a priest and sthapati measuring a liṅga; diagrammatic overlay showing four-part division and Anādya/Ardhacandra tops.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central polished black liṅga with gold-highlighted measurement lines; small inset medallions showing Anādya and Ardhacandra head silhouettes.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate: four-part liṅga cross-section, labeled segments, two omitted portions shaded, half-moon top outline beside it.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with craftsmen carving stone liṅga; a manuscript page shows geometric divisions and head-form silhouettes; fine architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चतुर्भागात्मके = चतुर् + भाग + आत्मके; प्रोक्तमर्धचन्द्रं = प्रोक्तम् + अर्धचन्द्रम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga-lakṣaṇa subsections continuing beyond 54.39)
FAQs
It gives an iconographic rule for defining a specific liṅga ‘head/top’ (śiras) type—‘Anādya’—by omitting two parts from a technical segment called ‘trapuṣa’, and it transitions to the next śiras type ‘Ardhacandra’.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s detailed cataloging of temple-ritual technology—precise classifications and construction logic for sacred icons—alongside its many other domains (law, polity, medicine, warfare, poetics).
Correctly forming and identifying liṅga-types is treated as essential for proper consecration and worship; accuracy in iconography supports ritual efficacy (phala) and helps avoid doṣa (ritual defects).