Hear now the sacred narrative of the divine image’s form, as revealed in the Agni Purāṇa. The Lord describes, in careful detail, the measurements and proportions by which a holy image is to be fashioned, so that its beauty and auspiciousness may shine forth in the world. First, the mouth: when closed, it is measured as such; when open, it should be the width of two fingers. At the root of the nasal ridge, one finger’s width is proper. The tip of the nose projects two fingers, resembling the delicate oleander flower, and the space between the eyes, measured obliquely, should be four fingers. Each corner of the eye is two fingers, and the space between the two eyes is likewise two fingers. The pupil itself forms a fifth part of the eye, which is divided into three parts. The width of the eye is three fingers, and the socket is half a finger. The lines of the brows follow this measure, and the brows themselves should be equal. Between the brows, two fingers of space are prescribed, while the length of each brow is four fingers. The circumference of the head is set at thirty-six fingers. However, for images from Keśava onwards, the head’s circumference should be thirty-two fingers; for those with five eyes and a fierce neck, the circumference is measured again, taking breadth into account. The neck’s length should be three times its width, each measuring eight finger-widths. The space between the neck and chest is measured in the same way. The shoulders are eight finger-widths wide, marked by three auspicious divisions. The arms are remembered to have seven joints, and the forearms extend to sixteen finger-widths. Both the arms and forearms are divided into three parts in width. Above the arm-stem, the circumference is reckoned as nine divisions. At the middle of the forearm, the circumference is sixteen finger-widths; at the palm, it is twelve finger-widths. The palm itself is six finger-widths broad and seven finger-widths long. The middle finger measures five finger-widths. The index and ring fingers are just half a finger-width less than the middle finger, while the little finger and thumb are four finger-widths each. The thumb has two joints, and the other fingers have three joints each. The nails above each joint are measured accordingly. The chest and the abdomen share the same measurement. The navel is one finger-width in diameter, and at its middle, the circumference is forty-two finger-widths. The space between the genitals is the length of a tala, or hand-span. The space between the breasts is also a tala; the nipples are the size of a barley grain, and the areola is two finger-widths. The wrapping around the chest is sixty-four finger-widths, and for a four-faced figure, the wrapping below follows this description. The waist’s circumference is fifty-four finger-widths, and the breadth at the root of the thighs is twelve finger-widths. From there, the middle becomes greater, then tapers downward. The knee’s circumference is three times eight finger-widths. At the middle of the calf, the breadth is seven finger-widths, its circumference three times that, and the end of the calf is five finger-widths wide, with its circumference again three times that. The feet are measured by the tala. When raised, the feet are four finger-widths in length. Before the ankle, the measure is four finger-widths. The feet are divided into three parts in width, and the heel is three finger-widths. The big toe and the index toe are each five finger-widths long, and each subsequent toe is shorter by one-eighth. The upper nail of the thumb is one and a quarter finger-widths, about the size of a barley grain. For the other nails, each is made half a finger-width less than the previous. The testicles are three fingers, the penis four fingers, and the tip of the scrotum four fingers; the testicles have a circumference of six fingers. The image should be adorned with ornaments, following these specifications, and crafted in accordance with the characteristics seen in the world. For the dark-clad Vāsudeva, place a discus in the right hand and, below it, a lotus; in the left, a conch and a mace. Alongside, fashion Śrī and Puṣṭi, each holding a lotus and a vīṇā, with thighs gracefully raised. Include garland-bearers and those who hold knowledge. These two should be set within a radiant circle, adorned with brilliant ornaments like those of elephants. The foot-rest should resemble a lotus; thus should all images be completed. The Blessed Lord then describes the characteristics of the pedestal. Its length should match the image; its height, half that length; and its width, either four or sixty units. Two rows should be left below and above, with the inner part carefully smoothed all around. Above, leave two rows, and below the chamber, smooth the inner part equally on both sides. In the middle of these two, four parts are to be smoothed; after dividing the two upper rows into four, proceed with wisdom. The belt should be one part, with its hollow half that measure, and both sides made equal, part by part. Externally, one foot’s length is given, and at the front, an outlet for water is provided in three divisions. This auspicious pedestal may be made in various ways; for Lakṣmī and female images, it should be eight tālas. For these, the eyebrows should be made slightly longer, the nose slightly shorter, and the face more rounded above, avoiding transverse openings. The eyes should be elongated, each three parts of barley in length, and their width half that. The ear-attachment should be larger, matching the jawline, and the two lips should be made curved and without artifice. Thus, with reverence and precision, the sacred image and its pedestal are to be fashioned, so that the divine presence may be invoked and adored.