Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
विस्तरादष्टमांशेन मुखानां प्रतिनिर्गमः एकवक्त्रं तथा कार्यं पूर्वस्यां सौम्यलोचनं
vistarādaṣṭamāṃśena mukhānāṃ pratinirgamaḥ ekavaktraṃ tathā kāryaṃ pūrvasyāṃ saumyalocanaṃ
การยื่นออกมาด้านหน้าของพระพักตร์ทั้งหลายพึงมีขนาดหนึ่งในแปดของความกว้าง. เช่นเดียวกัน รูปพักตร์เดียวพึงทำให้หันสู่ทิศตะวันออก และมีดวงเนตรอ่อนโยนเป็นมงคล.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fixes the forward projection of faces as one-eighth of breadth and prescribes orientation (east-facing) and eye-expression (gentle) for single-faced icons used in temple installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"One-eighth Projection Rule and East-facing Single-faced Icon with Gentle Eyes","lookup_keywords":["pratinirgama","aṣṭamāṃśa","ekavaktra","pūrvābhimukha","saumya-locana"],"quick_summary":"Sets a precise projection (one-eighth of breadth) for facial emergence and specifies that a single-faced image should face east with calm, auspicious eyes."}
Concept: Dik (direction) and bhāva (expression) are part of ritual correctness, not mere aesthetics
Application: During design and installation, ensure eastward orientation and serene eyes to support darśana, devotion, and temple propriety.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A single-faced icon is shown aligned to the east; a measuring line indicates one-eighth breadth as the face’s forward projection; the eyes are painted/carved gentle and calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, east-facing deity icon in sanctum-like setting, subtle measurement band showing one-eighth projection, large calm eyes, lamp-lit ambience, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, frontal single-faced icon with serene eyes, gold-highlighted projection guideline, temple doorway suggesting east orientation, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical plate: side profile showing one-eighth projection from breadth, compass indicating east, close-up inset of saumya eyes, neat labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, craftsman aligning an icon with a compass toward the rising sun, delicate side-profile projection measurement, refined architectural background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vistarādaṣṭamāṃśena → vistārāt + aṣṭama-aṃśena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (dik-nirdeśa and mukha-pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It gives a pratima-lakshana (iconometric) rule: the face should project forward by one-eighth of the measured breadth, and a single-faced image is to be oriented east with a calm, auspicious gaze.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, sculptural geometry and ritual orientation—showing its coverage of Vastu/Śilpa norms alongside religious practice.
Correct proportion and eastward orientation are treated as auspicious, supporting a serene, beneficent divine presence in worship and helping ensure the ritual efficacy (prasāda/śubha-phala) of the installed image.