Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
देवतानां द्विजानाञ्च गुरूणां प्रणतस्तु यः धर्मार्थकामकालज्ञस्त्रिकालज्ञो ऽभिधीयते
devatānāṃ dvijānāñca gurūṇāṃ praṇatastu yaḥ dharmārthakāmakālajñastrikālajño 'bhidhīyate
He who, bowed in humility, is reverent toward the gods, the twice-born (dvija), and the teachers, and who knows the proper timing for dharma, artha, and kāma, is called a knower of the three times—past, present, and future.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) speaking to Sage Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical training: cultivating reverence to gods, learned twice-born, and teachers; applying right timing (kala) to dharma/artha/kama decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Trikalajna (Knower of the three times) by humility and kala-jnana","lookup_keywords":["trikalajna","sadachara","guru-bhakti","devata-vandana","dharma-artha-kama-kala"],"quick_summary":"A ‘knower of the three times’ is defined not as a mere astrologer but as one grounded in reverence and capable of choosing proper timing for dharma, wealth, and desire."}
Concept: Sadachara (right conduct) and vinaya (humility) are prerequisites for true kala-jnana—wise action across past, present, and future implications.
Application: Before acting, bow to higher principles (devata, guru, dharma) and evaluate timing: what is appropriate now, what consequences follow, and what precedent is set.
Khanda Section: Niti-shastra / Sadachara (Ethics and Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined person bows to deities, learned brahmanas, and a seated guru; behind, symbolic wheels/clock motifs indicate ‘three times’ and timely action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior with lamp, devotee in añjali bowing to a deity panel and to a guru with palm-leaf manuscript, warm ochres, serene faces, symbolic three bands for past-present-future.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru on ornate seat with gold work, devotee prostrating, small deity icons above, rich gold borders, inscriptions of dharma-artha-kama around the frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: three vignettes labeled dharma/artha/kama with a single humble figure consulting a guru, fine lines, soft colors, manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scholar respectfully bowing to a teacher and learned men, subtle architectural arches, a small shrine niche, detailed garments, a discreet tripartite time motif in the margin."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvijānāñca → dvijānām ca; praṇatastu → praṇataḥ tu; dharmārthakāmakālajñaḥ → dharma-artha-kāma-kāla-jñaḥ; trikālajño 'bhidhīyate → tri-kāla-jñaḥ abhidhīyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Niti-shastra / Sadachara section)
FAQs
It teaches sadācāra as a practical discipline: cultivate humility toward devas, dvijas, and gurus, and apply kāla-viveka—choosing the proper time and context for dharma, artha, and kāma—so actions become appropriate and effective.
By defining a key human competency—trikāla-jñatā (three-time awareness) through ethics and situational judgment—it connects spirituality (reverence), social order (dvija/guru respect), and governance-like prudence (timing of goals), showing the Purana’s broad coverage beyond myth into applied conduct.
Reverence to gods and teachers purifies pride and aligns one with dharma; acting with proper timing reduces harmful karma from impulsive choices, making one’s pursuit of artha and kāma dharma-consistent and spiritually stabilizing.