Let us journey into the sacred art of image-making, as revealed in the Agni Purāṇa. The ancient sages, with meticulous care, prescribed the precise measurements and forms for the sacred images, ensuring their divine proportions. First, the palm of the hand is to be crafted with a breadth of six finger-widths and a length of seven, while the middle finger should measure five finger-widths. The index and ring fingers, save for half a finger-width, are to be fashioned accordingly. The little finger and the thumb, each, must be four finger-widths long. The thumb is made with two joints, while the other fingers have three joints each. Above every joint, the nails are measured with care. The chest and abdomen share the same measurement, and the navel is formed with a diameter of one finger-width. The space between the genitals is to be as broad as a tala, or hand-span, and the circumference at the navel’s center is forty-two finger-widths. Similarly, the space between the breasts is also a tala in breadth; the nipples are barley-sized, with areolae measuring two finger-widths. The wrapping around the chest should be sixty-four finger-widths, and beneath that, for the four-faced figure, the wrapping is described in detail. The waist’s circumference is fifty-four finger-widths, while the breadth at the root of the thighs is twelve finger-widths. From this point, the middle increases in size and then tapers downwards. The knee’s circumference is three times eight finger-widths. At the middle of the calf, the breadth is seven finger-widths, and its circumference is thrice that. The end of the calf measures five finger-widths in breadth, with its circumference also three times that. The feet are measured by the tala, and their raised length is four finger-widths. Before the ankle, the measurement is four finger-widths; the feet are divided into three sections in width, and the heel is three finger-widths. The big toe and the index toe are each five finger-widths long, while the remaining toes decrease by one-eighth successively. The upper nail of the thumb is one and a quarter finger-widths, and the thumb’s nail is shaped like a barley grain. For other parts, each is made half a finger-width less than the previous. The testicles are three finger-widths, the penis four, and the tip of the scrotum four finger-widths. The testicles have a circumference of six finger-widths. Once the measurements are complete, the image is adorned with ornaments, reflecting the features seen in the world. On the right hand, a discus is placed, and below it, a lotus. On the left hand, a conch and a mace are held, marking the attributes of the dark-clad Vāsudeva. Alongside, Śrī and Puṣṭi are depicted, holding a lotus and a vīṇā, their thighs raised in length. Garland-bearers and those holding knowledge are also fashioned. These two are placed within a radiant circle, adorned with brilliance and ornaments reminiscent of elephants. The foot-rest is lotus-like, completing the sacred images. The Blessed Lord then speaks of the pedestal. Its length matches the image, its height is half the image, and its width is four or sixty units. Leaving two rows above and below, the inner part is smoothed all around. Again, leaving two rows above and below the chamber, the inner part is smoothed equally on both sides. In the middle, four parts are smoothed, and the two upper rows are divided into four, as the wise proceed. The belt is made of one part, its hollow half that measure, ensuring both sides are equal. Externally, one foot is given, and at the front, an outlet for water is created in three divisions. This auspicious pedestal is made in various ways; for Lakṣmī and women, it should be eight tālas in size. Attention is given to facial features: the eyebrows are slightly longer, the nose shorter, and the face more rounded above, avoiding transverse openings. The eyes are elongated, each of three barley parts, and their width is half that. The ear-attachment matches the jawline in size, the lips are curved and simple. The neck is one and a half kalās, adorned with its breadth. Except for the eyes, the thighs, knees, and pedestal are made in width. The backs of the ankles, hips, and waist are arranged properly. The fingers are seven parts, their length reduced by a span. When there is absence of one eye, the thighs, knees, and waist are similarly described. The sides are rounded and dense, and the pair of breasts are full. Each breast is the size of a palm, the waist is slightly more than half a unit, and the remaining marks are as before. On the right hand, a lotus is held; on the left, a bael fruit; and on both sides, a yak-tail is auspiciously held. The nose is long, the chin heavy, and the limbs are marked with a wheel. The Blessed Lord then describes the forms beginning with Shalagrama, which grant enjoyment and liberation. Vasudeva is dark at the entrance, fixed in stone, with two wheels. Sankarshana is fixed with two wheels, excellent and red. Pradyumna is subtle-wheeled, with many holes, blue and long. Pita is Niruddha, marked with a lotus, round, and bearing two or three lines. Krishna Narayana is raised at the navel, with a cavity and elongated. Parameshthi is marked with a lotus wheel, has a hole on the back, and bears a dot. Vishnu is dark with a thick wheel, and in the middle, a line shaped like a mace. Narasimha is tawny, with a thick wheel and five dots. Varaha is marked with a spear symbol, but if the wheels are uneven, it is considered inauspicious. Thus, the sacred measurements and forms are revealed, guiding the devotee to craft the divine images and their pedestals, embodying both beauty and auspiciousness, as prescribed in the holy tradition.