Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 29
Abhiṣeka-mantrāḥ
Consecration Mantras
इन्द्रश् च मेत्यादिशतु ततः प्रतिमकृत्तथा मितश् च सम्मितश् चैव अमितश् च महाबलः
indraś ca metyādiśatu tataḥ pratimakṛttathā mitaś ca sammitaś caiva amitaś ca mahābalaḥ
Rồi Indra truyền dạy bằng lời: “Hãy đến!”, và cũng vậy, người tạo tượng (pratimakṛt) được bổ nhiệm. Lại có Mita, Sammita và Amita—trong đó Amita có sức mạnh lớn.
Lord Agni (narrating the iconographic procedure to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Contextual cue for commissioning an image (pratimā): divine authorization, appointment of the sculptor, and naming/typology of measures (mita/sammita/amita) relevant to proportioning.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-karaṇa: appointment of the image-maker and measure-classes (Mita–Sammita–Amita)","lookup_keywords":["pratima-krit","murti measurement","mita sammita amita","icon-making procedure","Agni Purana 219.29"],"quick_summary":"Indicates the ritual-social step of installing an authorized artisan and hints at proportional categories (measured, well-measured, immeasurable/expansive) used in image planning."}
Concept: Sacred art requires sanctioned intention (saṅkalpa) and correct measure (māna) mediated by skilled śilpin.
Application: Before image-making: formally appoint the artisan, define scale/proportion class, and proceed with measured planning rather than improvisation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and image-making)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra gestures commandingly while a sculptor (pratimakṛt) receives instructions; measuring rods and proportional grids lie beside a partially carved image block labeled mita/sammita/amita.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Indra with regal posture instructing a seated śilpin, tools (tāla-measure, cord), partially carved stone/wood, warm traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Indra with ornate crown and gold highlights, artisan with chisels, measuring staff, gleaming workshop setting, embossed gold on ornaments and tools","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, workshop scene with clear depiction of measuring grid and tools, calm instructional composition, fine lines, muted colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene: artisan carving while a divine messenger/Indra oversees, detailed tools and textures, architectural interior with patterned floor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इन्द्रश् च = इन्द्रः + च (विसर्ग → श्). चैव = च + एव. मितश्/सम्मितश्/अमितश् = मितः/सम्मितः/अमितः (विसर्ग → श् before च). मेत्यादिशतु: पाठे 'मेति' = 'इति' इत्यर्थे, ततः 'आदिशतु'।
Related Themes: Agni Purana śilpa/pratimā-lakṣaṇa sections (iconography chapters); Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi contexts around commissioning and installation
FAQs
It situates the authority-chain for sacred image-making: Indra’s command initiates/authorizes the appointment of the pratimakṛt (sculptor) and identifies associated assistants/persons, implying an organized, sanctioned craft-process.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical institutional details—how temple images are commissioned and who participates—showing the Purana’s coverage of sacred art, craft administration, and ritualized production.
By stressing that image-making proceeds under divine instruction and proper appointment, it implies that correctly authorized craftsmanship supports ritual purity and merit, while irregular procedure risks diminishing sanctity.