Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 243 — Strī-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics of a Woman
न लोलुपा न दुर्भाषा शुभा देवादिपूजिता गण्डैर् मधूकपुष्पाभैर् न शिराला न लोमशा
na lolupā na durbhāṣā śubhā devādipūjitā gaṇḍair madhūkapuṣpābhair na śirālā na lomaśā
هي ليست جشعة ولا فاحشة اللسان؛ بل هي مباركة تُوقَّر من الآلهة وغيرهم. خدّاها كأزهار المدهوكا؛ ليست بارزة العروق ولا كثيرة الشعر بإفراط.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing the sage Vasiṣṭha (dialogue-frame attribution)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Assessment of auspicious bodily and behavioral traits in strī-parīkṣā (marriage/household suitability) and general physiognomic evaluation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Strī-lakṣaṇa: śubha-guṇa and deha-cihna (cheeks, hair, veins)","lookup_keywords":["strīlakṣaṇa","ganḍa (cheeks)","madhūka-puṣpa","aśirāla","alomaśa"],"quick_summary":"Auspicious woman is described by ethical restraint (non-greed, gentle speech) and pleasing bodily signs (flower-like cheeks, not prominent veins, not excessively hairy). Used as a checklist in strī-lakṣaṇa sections."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Outer auspicious marks are paired with inner restraint (alobha, su-vāk) as indicators of śubhatva.
Application: In household ethics, prioritize character (speech, greedlessness) alongside appearance when judging suitability.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Stri-lakshana (ideal feminine characteristics and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: Śṛṅgāra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed, auspicious woman with gentle expression; cheeks compared to madhūka blossoms; smooth limbs without prominent veins or excess body hair; devotional aura of being honored by gods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, auspicious woman seated in graceful posture, soft lotus-like face, cheeks tinted like madhūka blossoms, minimal ornamentation, divine attendants indicating deva-pūjita, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, auspicious woman with serene face and madhūka-flower cheeks, rich silk attire, heavy jewelry, subtle halo suggesting śubhatva, gold leaf highlights, symmetrical frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework showing gentle brows and smooth limbs (no visible veins), delicate floral motif of madhūka near the cheeks, calm domestic setting, muted palette with fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly portrait of a noble woman with soft cheeks like blossoms, naturalistic shading, minimal body hair depiction, attendants offering flowers, detailed textiles and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṇḍair → gaṇḍaiḥ (visarga sandhi); madhūkapuṣpābhair → madhūka-puṣpa-ābhaiḥ (compound + plural instrumental).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 243 (Strī-lakṣaṇa section); Agni Purana 244 (transition to royal insignia)
FAQs
It conveys strī-lakṣaṇa (physiognomic and behavioral markers) used in traditional Ayurveda-influenced omenology/compatibility assessment: auspicious conduct (non-greed, gentle speech) and bodily indicators (cheeks, absence of prominent veins or excess hair).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogues practical knowledge systems—here, social-physiognomic criteria and body-sign interpretation—showing its wide scope alongside ritual, governance, medicine, and aesthetics.
The verse links inner virtues (non-greed, pleasant speech) with śubhatva (auspiciousness), implying that ethical disposition supports harmony, merit, and household prosperity, while bodily signs are treated as indicators of that auspicious temperament.