Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
षडुन्नतो ऽष्टवंशश् च सप्तस्नेहो नवामलः दशपद्मो दशव्यूहो न्यग्रोधपरिमण्डलः
ṣaḍunnato 'ṣṭavaṃśaś ca saptasneho navāmalaḥ daśapadmo daśavyūho nyagrodhaparimaṇḍalaḥ
«مرتفعٌ بستة أوجه، ذو ثمانية سوق، غنيٌّ بسبع مراتب من الدُّهنيّة، طاهرٌ بتسع مراتب؛ ذو عشرة لوتسات، مُصفوفٌ في عشرة تشكيلات (ڤيوها)—هكذا هو النياگروذَ (شجر البانيان) ذو امتدادٍ مستديرٍ كامل».
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Used as a lakṣaṇa-style checklist for identifying/depicting an idealized nyagrodha (banyan) form in vāstu contexts—e.g., selecting auspicious trees for temple precincts, garden planning, or as a model for rounded canopies in decorative motifs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nyagrodha-lakṣaṇa (Ideal Banyan: numeric attributes)","lookup_keywords":["nyagrodha","banyan","parimaṇḍala","lakṣaṇa","vāstu-vṛkṣa"],"quick_summary":"Defines an auspicious, perfectly rounded banyan by numeric epithets (six-elevated, eight-stemmed, etc.). Useful as a vāstu/shilpa descriptor for sacred landscaping and ornamental design."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (phonetic patterning) / Saṅkhyā (numerical enumeration)
Concept: Auspiciousness and ideality are encoded through measurable/recognizable marks (lakṣaṇa) and ordered enumeration.
Application: Apply numeric-lakṣaṇa thinking to selection/standardization in vāstu and shilpa—choosing forms that signal completeness and harmony.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture & Iconometry)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand banyan tree with a perfectly circular canopy, multiple stems and aerial roots, depicted as an auspicious presence near a temple courtyard; the composition emphasizes symmetry and rounded spread.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, sacred temple courtyard with a monumental nyagrodha tree, perfectly round canopy, stylized aerial roots, ornamental borders, serene auspicious atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central nyagrodha with circular canopy near a small shrine, heavy gold leaf highlights on leaves and halo-like canopy outline, jewel-toned palette, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram feel: banyan with labeled numeric attributes (6/8/7/9/10), delicate linework, soft washes, emphasis on parimaṇḍala canopy geometry","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed botanical banyan with multiple trunks and aerial roots, circular canopy dominating the frame, fine foliage stippling, temple wall in background, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽष्टवंशश् = अष्टवंशः; षडुन्नतः = षट् + उन्नतः (व्यञ्जनसन्धि); अन्य पदानि समासरूपाणि।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu/Śilpa sections on prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and auspicious trees (vṛkṣa-prakaraṇa); Agni Purana iconometry passages using numeric lakṣaṇas
FAQs
It gives vastu-style auspicious diagnostics (lakṣaṇa) for identifying an ideal nyagrodha (banyan) by counting and observing specific physical features used in sacred-site and ritual contexts.
Beyond theology, it catalogs measurable, practice-oriented criteria (counts, forms, arrangements) used in Vastu/ritual selection—showing the Purana’s compendium-like coverage of architecture, omens, and sacred landscape standards.
Selecting a properly marked, auspicious tree is treated as supporting ritual purity and prosperity at a site, helping ensure favorable outcomes (śubha-phala) and avoidance of inauspicious defects (doṣa).