After Birth, a human body grows in certain period. The human life journey is from birth to death. In this period, body is continuously changing. If one takes the picture of human body, then One can notice that limb and whole body are having certain proportions. As if, There is basic measurement unit involved in creation of human body.
The concept of proportions is familiar term for an artist. To draw any object, It must be in right proportions. Just like machines are made with specific measurements, similarly are there measurements for body? Ans is Yes. Vishnudharmottar purana gives exact measurements of the body. Chapter 35, 36 and 37 of Vishnudharmottara purana are specifically dedicated for measuring each part of the body. It is given for the purpose of drawing the human body. But those measurements are not restricted to only drawings. They are actual proportions of human body. Each and every human being on this planet carries those proportions. He can check the details mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana and apply to his own body. He can verify whether it is true or not. My own experience says that, Each and every word in Vishnudharmottara purana is true.
Similarity between modern and ancient systems
Take any drawing book, be it from any part of this world. To draw human body, the instruction would be to draw the body as per the heads. Height of the body is calculated as per the height of the head. For example, In Andrew Loomis book, it is given that, On an average, A normal man is 7.5 heads tall.
In Vishnudharmottara Purana, Chapter 36, It is given that height of the face is 12 Angulas. Then 12 Angulas is equal to one Tala (ताल). It is mentioned in Vastu Shastra ( Mayasashtram, Matsyapuranam,Sukraniti and Pratima lakshnam), that height of sculpture can be 4 talas, 6 talas, 8 talas, 9 talas, 10 talas. It means height of the sculpture was calculated based on heads, because head is one Taal. as mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana. In India, It was common method to draw human body as per the head since ancient times. And in addition to that, Angula measurement system were also in practice to create rest of the body. The Vastushastra texts and Vishnudharmottara purana are very ancient. Hence it is clear that, so called Modern system is not discovered entirely, but it was ancient system practiced in India since many thousands of years. In fact modern system of drawing human body doesn’t include finger as basic measurement unit. As artist doesn’t know proportions as per finger or Angula (अंगुल), the result may be inaccurate.
Fifteen Century European painting, Madonna and Child was created by Italian artist Filippo Lippi. In this painting, Madonna is shown with long abnormal neck.
In both paintings, The Body proportions are not correct. Head of ladies in both paintings are small and, They are having long bodies. Their arms are very long and arms are bulky.
These are called defects of the paintings as per Vishnudharmottara Purana, Chapter 41. It is said that, if The painting is proportionate then it becomes beautiful. Too big cheeks, too big eyes are defects of the painting. In these paintings, bodies are large as compared to heads.
Ancient measurement unit
It is important to understand about basic measurement unit mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana. One Angul is similar to the breath of the finger. So length of the fist will be four anguls. In Ancient India, ‘Paramanu’ was the smallest measurement unit. Here for body measurement, Angul is smallest unit.
Likewise, proportions are mentioned for each and every part of the face. Here is ebook mentioning all the proportions in details with diagrams. It can be downloaded for free by clicking the button below.
The measurements mentioned in this chapter can be cross checked using finger and mirror. These are measurements specifically mentioned regarding face of adult man. In mirror, an individual can check, How many fingers a particular part of the face is. Sukraniti, chapter 4 tells that , One angul is 1/4 of the fist. It is similar to the height of the index finger.
Each measurement mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana is accurate. This valuable information is from chapter 35, 36 and 37 of Vishnudharmottara Purana. It is interesting to note that, Even size of the pupil is in relation with the eye. Each and every part of the face is linked, as if it is planned first and then created. Such face is not static entity, it is every changing since birth, yet it maintains the proportions as a person become adult.
Both sides of the human Body are same. That shows, There is consistency in the design. Where there is symmetry, there is visual harmony. Measurements and proportions play big role in case of symmetrical designs. It shows existence of natural body proportions. They are called natural, because they are not made by or planned by any human. The design of the human body is product of the natural processes. There are measurements which are incorporated in ever changing design of human body. The design of the human body is directly linked with the functioning of the body. It is also linked with the weight and balancing of the human body.
The measurements mentioned in this chapter can be cross checked using finger and mirror. These are measurements specifically mentioned regarding body of adult man. In mirror, an individual can check how many fingers a particular part of the body is.
Proportions of female body
The beauty of female is directly linked with the proportions of her body. Woman also carry baby during the time of pregnancy. Her child is fed on breast milk. Her body design complements the task of raising the child. Ancient text such as Vishnudharmottara Purana gives precise measurements for the same. In Vishnudharmottara Purana, Chapter 37, Shlokas 2-4 ,give body proportions for the female. It is as follows – “Each woman should be placed near her man (Husband). Her height will be till the shoulders of her man.
Her waist should be drawn 2 Angulas thinner than waist of man. The hips should be made 4 Angulas wider. The breasts should be made charming and in proportion to the chest. “
Application
In man-made world, Nothing happens without anyone planning about it first. A rock will not transform automatically into the sculpture. A sculptor has to plan design on paper. He has to decide right proportions and shapes. Then he start working on it. Same way, A human body cant have right proportions without anyone planning it first. After studying the body proportions given in Vishnudharmottara Purana,, One may wonder how Writer of Vishnudharmottara Purana got such accurate information about the body. This information is so important as it is related to each and every individual on this planet. One may astonish knowing that, Even planning about sizes of the nails can be observed. How much one nail will be with respect to other nails of hand and feet, that is also given. It shows Human body is not something made out of chance. It is outcome of planned design.
This knowledge about Body proportions is useful today, in following areas.
- To increase our self awareness and body awareness. One may start appreciating his/her body after knowing, that It is in made with certain proportions. He or she will feel good, knowing that it is not about how much thin or fat body is. There are natural body proportions,
2. Many physically challenged people use artificial limbs. This knowledge of natural body proportions will help engineer to create precise limbs as per person’s body proportions.
- Robots are created all over the world for performing small tasks. Natural body proportions will help in creating better robots.
- Art is way of imitating the life. Artist can create accurate paintings and sculptures using this knowledge of body proportions.
Conclusion – In this book, We have learned about Body proportions of human being. If god has created human being in right body proportions, it means other living beings too were created with natural body proportions. Not just animals, birds,insects,marine life and others were created using certain body proportions. By knowing one can only wonder and appreciate the powers of cosmic intelligence embedded in each and every atom of this planet. It is same force which is behind the writing of the body proportions in Vishnudharmottara Purana. Because of that, We have today precise body proportions of human body.
