Ashtangula, Aṣṭāṅgula, Ashtan-angula: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtangula means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Aṣṭāṅgula can be transliterated into English as Astangula or Ashtangula, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)Aṣṭāṅgula (अष्टाङ्गुल) refers to “eight digits”, according to the Devyāmata (in the section śalyoddhāra-paṭala or “excavation of extraneous substances”).—Accordingly, “[...] If [someone] scratches his little toe, [the officiant] should prognosticate a piece of bell-metal [beneath] the spot. That [extraneous thing] exists [at a depth of] eight digits (aṣṭāṅgula-māna) [underground]. There is no doubt about it. [...]”.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureAṣṭāṅgula (अष्टाङ्गुल) refers to a “measurement of eight aṅgulas”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [As the Bhagavān said]: “Now I shall teach the offering manual which is auspicious and can bring about any effect. [...] Four stakes made of khadira wood and iron [should be placed] after they have been enchanted with the mantra sixty times. All stakes should measure eight aṅgulas [e.g., aṣṭāṅgula-pramāṇa]. [...]”.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Ashtangula, Aṣṭāṅgula, Astangula, Aṣṭa-aṅgula, Ashtan-angula, Asta-angula, Ashta-angula, Aṣṭan-aṅgula, Astan-angula; (plurals include: Ashtangulas, Aṣṭāṅgulas, Astangulas, aṅgulas, angulas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) (by Bhagyashree Sarma)
7(a): Portrait of Men and Women < [Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making]