Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 8
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
शुकेन्द्रगोपचन्द्राभा ये च वायससन्निभाः सुवर्णवर्णाः स्निग्धाश् च प्रशस्यास्तु सदैव हि
śukendragopacandrābhā ye ca vāyasasannibhāḥ suvarṇavarṇāḥ snigdhāś ca praśasyāstu sadaiva hi
Diejenigen, deren Glanz dem eines Papageis, des Indragopa-Insekts oder des Mondes gleicht, ebenso auch jene, die dem Farbton einer Krähe ähneln; ferner die von goldener Färbung und mit schimmernd-glatter (öliger) Erscheinung—sie gelten wahrlich stets als glückverheißend.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s compendious teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samudrika","practical_application":"Varṇa-parīkṣā (complexion/lustre assessment) for auspiciousness and vitality appraisal; used in samudrika evaluation and general health observation (snigdhatā as sign of good tissue condition).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Varṇa-lakṣaṇa: auspicious lustres (śuka/indragopa/candra/vāyasa/suvarṇa; snigdha)","lookup_keywords":["varna-pariksha","snigdha-lakshana","indragopa-abha","suvarna-varna","vayasa-sannibha"],"quick_summary":"States that lustre resembling parrot, indragopa insect, moon, crow-hue, and golden complexion—especially with unctuous sheen—is auspicious. Practical use: quick visual appraisal of vitality/fortune markers."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Observable qualities (varṇa, snigdhatā) are treated as indicators of inner condition and auspiciousness.
Application: Use as a non-invasive observational screen; in health contexts, investigate if lustre is lost (possible depletion, stress, illness) and correct regimen.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Lakṣaṇa / Varṇa-parīkṣā: auspicious bodily signs and complexion-types)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of individuals shown with distinct auspicious lustres: parrot-like green sheen, indragopa red glow, moonlike radiance, crow-hued sheen, and golden complexion—each with smooth glossy appearance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, five figures in a row with stylized color-lustre cues (green, crimson, cool white, deep crow-black sheen, golden), glossy highlights, palm-leaf text panel naming each varṇa, temple-school aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden-complexioned figure with gold leaf radiance, surrounding smaller figures with parrot-green, indragopa-red, moon-white, crow-hued tones, heavy ornamentation and gold work emphasizing sheen","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined portrait set demonstrating complexion-types with subtle gradients and snigdha highlights, annotated margins, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly gathering with varied complexions rendered with delicate shading, moonlike glow on one face, golden sheen on another, naturalistic textiles and garden backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्निग्धाश्+च→स्निग्धाश्च; प्रशस्यास्+तु→प्रशस्यास्तु; सदा+एव→सदैव (स्वर-सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (varṇa-parīkṣā / lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It gives a diagnostic/physiognomic guideline (lakṣaṇa-vidyā within Ayurveda): certain complexions and a glossy, unctuous bodily sheen (snigdhatā) are classified as auspicious indicators.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied knowledge—here, Ayurvedic-style observation of bodily colour and lustre as markers of wellbeing and fortune—showing the Purana’s wide-ranging, handbook-like scope.
By defining “praśasya” (auspicious) bodily signs, it frames health, radiance, and favourable appearance as outcomes aligned with merit and right living, used to judge propitiousness in personal and social contexts.