Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
स्थण्डिले ऽङ्गुलमानेन आत्मनः सप्तविंशतिः आचार्याणां च सूत्राणि पितृमात्रादिपुस्तके
sthaṇḍile 'ṅgulamānena ātmanaḥ saptaviṃśatiḥ ācāryāṇāṃ ca sūtrāṇi pitṛmātrādipustake
ستھندِل پر اپنے اَنگُل کے پیمانے سے ستائیس اکائیاں ہوتی ہیں۔ نیز آچاریوں کے سوتروں کو اُس کتاب میں دیکھ کر اختیار یا درج کیا جائے جو باپ، ماں وغیرہ کے بیان سے شروع ہوتی ہے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Set altar/ritual-ground measurements using one’s aṅgula and preserve/consult guru-sūtras and lineage records for correct ritual performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sthaṇḍila Aṅgula-māna (27 Units) and Ācārya-sūtra Lineage Record","lookup_keywords":["sthandila","angula-mana","27","acharya-sutra","pustaka"],"quick_summary":"The ritual ground is measured in 27 aṅgula-units by one’s own measure, and the practitioner should rely on teachers’ sūtras preserved in lineage books (beginning with father/mother records)."}
Concept: Ritual correctness rests on pramāṇa (measure) and paramparā (teacher lineage).
Application: Use consistent body-based measures for the sthaṇḍila and verify steps against established ācārya-sūtras and family/guru records.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; altar/mandala measurements and lineage texts)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest marks out a sthaṇḍila on the ground using finger-measurements, while a palm-leaf/paper ‘pustaka’ of ācārya-sūtras and lineage notes lies open nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard with marked square sthaṇḍila grid, priest measuring with fingers, open palm-leaf manuscript showing sūtra lines, subdued temple tones and lamp light.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest in ornate attire measuring a ritual ground, manuscript with gilded border, sacred implements arranged symmetrically, gold detailing on borders and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scene with clear measurement marks (27 units), teacher pointing to sūtra manuscript, student marking the ground, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly ritual setup: pandit measuring a ground diagram, assistant holding a manuscript register of lineage, detailed textiles and architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sthaṇḍile + aṅgulamānena → sthaṇḍile 'ṅgulamānena (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (sthaṇḍila/maṇḍala pramāṇa context)
FAQs
It specifies a practical measurement standard for the sthaṇḍila (ritual ground/altar-space) using one’s own aṅgula (finger-breadth), and emphasizes adherence to established ācārya-sūtras (authoritative procedural rules).
By preserving precise ritual engineering (pramāṇa/measurement) alongside textual authority (ācārya-sūtras) and record-keeping traditions (pustaka referencing family/lineage details), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s wide scope across liturgy, technical standards, and dharmic documentation.
Correct measurement and fidelity to authentic teacher-traditions are treated as safeguards of ritual efficacy—supporting purity (śuddhi), correctness (vidhi), and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.