The Hindu Temple v1.c5.s3.t2.22

v1.c5.s3.t2.22

Related in its proportion to the square is also the perfect measure of man for it is 'as high as broad'. This is the canon of his accomplished figure. From the root of the hair on the forehead to the soles of his feet, his length is equal to the width of his arms stretched out horizontally, from the tip of the middle finger of the right to the tip of the middle finger of the left. This is the standard of his proportion.⁵⁹ In this, the figure of man in its perfection is identical to that of the Mahāpuruṣa, Supernal man, the Universal Being.⁶⁰ This measure of a fathom is also that of the square space in whose centre the Āhavanīya fire burnt and where the circular Gārhapatya equal in area to a fathom square had been piled up afterwards. "A fathom (vyāma) that namely is the size of a man and the altar should be of man's size" (Ś.B. I. 2. 5. 14).⁶¹ This square altar of a fathom length is the middle term between man (puruṣa) who is the sacrificer and the Puruṣa. In the Brāhmaṇas, Prajāpati, the lord of all creatures, takes the place of the Puruṣa. "That same Puruṣa became Prajāpati and that Puruṣa who became Prajāpati is this very Agni (Fire altar; Ś.B. VI. 1. 1. 5).