Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 55 — Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa-kathana
Defining Features of the Pedestal/Base for Icons
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये व्यक्ताव्यक्तलक्षणं नाम चतुःपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः पिण्डिकालक्षणकथनं भगवानुवाच अतः परंप्रवक्ष्यामि प्रतिमानान्तु पिण्डिकाम् दैर्घ्येण प्रतिमातुल्या तदर्धेन तु विस्तृता
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye vyaktāvyaktalakṣaṇaṃ nāma catuḥpañcāśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcapañcāśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ piṇḍikālakṣaṇakathanaṃ bhagavānuvāca ataḥ paraṃpravakṣyāmi pratimānāntu piṇḍikām dairghyeṇa pratimātulyā tadardhena tu vistṛtā
ดังนี้ ในอัคนีปุราณะ มหาปุราณะโบราณ บทที่ห้าสิบสี่ชื่อว่า ‘ลักษณะของสิ่งปรากฏและไม่ปรากฏ’ ได้สิ้นสุดลง บัดนี้เริ่มบทที่ห้าสิบห้า: การกล่าวลักษณะของปิณฑิกา (ฐานรอง) พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสว่า: ‘ต่อไปเราจักอธิบายปิณฑิกาของปฏิมา โดยให้ความยาวเท่ากับองค์ปฏิมา และความกว้างเป็นครึ่งหนึ่งของนั้น’
Bhagavān (Lord Agni as narrator in the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing pedestal (piṇḍikā) dimensions for pratimā installation to ensure stability, proportion, and ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa (pedestal) for pratimā: length and breadth proportion","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍikā","pratimā","āyāma","vistāra","pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"The pedestal for an image should match the image’s length, with breadth set at half that measure—establishing a basic proportional rule for icon bases."}
Concept: Rūpa-pramāṇa as dhārmika order—right proportion supports right worship.
Application: Use proportional canons to avoid instability and aesthetic/ritual faults in image installation.
Khanda Section: Pratima-Puja-Vidhi (Iconography & Temple Ritual / Vastu-śāstra aligned)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master sthapati instructs apprentices, measuring a deity image and designing a matching piṇḍikā pedestal with breadth half the length.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, sthapati with palm-leaf manuscript and measuring cord, pratimā outline on floor, pedestal drawn with proportional marks, warm ochres and greens, temple workshop setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, deity image on pedestal with gold-leaf ornamentation, artisan holding measuring rod, emphasized geometric proportions, rich reds and gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, technical drafting scene with clean lines, annotated measures (length equals image, breadth half), calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with architect and assistants, measuring rod and compass, pedestal plan on paper, delicate architectural background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; चतुःपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः → चतुःपञ्चाशत्तमः + अध्यायः; पञ्चपञ्चाशत्तमो ऽध्यायः → पञ्चपञ्चाशत्तमः + अध्यायः; प्रतिमानान्तु → प्रतिमानाम् + तु; परंप्रवक्ष्यामि → परम् + प्रवक्ष्यामि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54: Vyaktāvyakta-lakṣaṇa (chapter colophon context); Agni Purana 55: subsequent piṇḍikā/mekhalā/praṇāla measurements
FAQs
It gives a technical iconographic rule for temple construction and image-installation: the piṇḍikā (icon pedestal/plinth) should match the icon’s length and have breadth equal to half that measure.
Alongside theology and metaphysics, it preserves applied śāstric knowledge—here, measurable standards for pratimā-pratiṣṭhā and temple/vāstu design—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical arts and ritual engineering.
Correct proportion in the icon’s base supports proper worship and consecration; adherence to prescribed measures is traditionally held to maintain ritual efficacy, auspiciousness, and the stability of the deity’s installed presence.