In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Google Books: The Theory of Citrasutras in Indian Painting

Dehāṅgula is the aṅgula of the image itself which means that it is derived from the total height of the image to be fashioned. The dehāṅgula is used for the construction of images and is essentially a relative unit, given that it is the height of an image which determines the length of the dehāṅgula. The height of an image depends upon the given dimension of the material and the number of aṅgulas and tālas in which the image is to be gashioned.

Utpala (tenth century), who commented on Varāhamihira’s works (Bhat 1981, p. 550), explains the dehāṅgula as follows:

‘divide the total length of the stone or wooden piece, which will cover the entire height of the idol from head to foot, into 108 equal parts. One of the parts would then be its own aṅgula or digit.’

It is interesting to note that Utpala, did not take into consideration images having a different length from the one prescribed in the Bṛhat Saṃhitā of 108 aṅgulas. This probably means that he was not acquainted with the Tālamāna system.

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Dehāṅgula (देहाङ्गुल) or Dehalabdhāṅgula refers to a type of measurement, as defined in the texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—This is obtained by dividing the whole length of the body of an image into 124,120 or 116 equal parts. Each of this division is called a dehalabdhāṅgula or shortly dehāṅgula. The relative measure is used in the construction of temples or in the making of images. Different names are given to certain lengths representable by two or more dehāṅgulas up to twenty-seven.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Deha, Angula.

Full-text: Dehalabdhangula, Uttamadashatala, Madhyamadashatala, Adhamadashatala, Gokarna, Vitasti, Pradesha, Angula.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Dehangula, Dehāṅgula, Deha-angula, Deha-aṅgula; (plurals include: Dehangulas, Dehāṅgulas, angulas, aṅgulas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Manasara (English translation) (by Prasanna Kumar Acharya)

Part 5 - General survey (summary of contents) < [Preface]

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