Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
जान्वोरुर्वोश् च पृष्ठस्थ वंशौ द्वौ करनासयोः नेत्रे नासापुटौ कर्णौ मेढ्रं पायुमुखे ऽमलं
jānvorurvoś ca pṛṣṭhastha vaṃśau dvau karanāsayoḥ netre nāsāpuṭau karṇau meḍhraṃ pāyumukhe 'malaṃ
At the knees and thighs are two principal tubular channels situated along the back; there are two instruments for action and for speech; there are the two eyes, the nostrils, the ears; and the penis and the anus—these are the stainless openings of the body.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Anatomical mapping of bodily openings and paired structures for teaching sharira and for clinical localization during examination and therapy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sharira-mapping—paired channels/indriya-dvara and the ‘stainless openings’","lookup_keywords":["sharira","dvara","netra","nasa-putau","meढra-payu"],"quick_summary":"Maps key paired structures (eyes, nostrils, ears) and principal outlets (penis, anus), presenting them as bodily openings to be understood in sharira study."}
Concept: Body as a system of dvaras (gateways) and paired instruments—ordered knowledge for disciplined inquiry.
Application: Supports diagnostic reasoning (which dvara is affected) and ethical care (protecting vulnerable openings).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Sharira (Anatomy and bodily mapping)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic human figure with highlighted openings: eyes, nostrils, ears, penis, anus; paired structures are shown symmetrically, with subtle lines indicating channels along the back near knees/thighs as described.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural schematic-human depiction with stylized symmetry, highlighted facial openings and lower outlets, minimal background, Sanskrit labels in traditional script style, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore icon-like anatomical diagram with gold outlines around the nine/major openings, lotus medallions marking each dvara, rich color blocks and ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as a didactic plate: clean outlines, numbered labels for each opening (netra, nasa-putau, karna, meढra, payu), gentle shading, manuscript-like margins.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scientific illustration vibe: naturalistic figure with annotated callouts, fine brushwork, pale background wash, cartouches naming each opening."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उरुर्वोश् → उर्वोः; पायुमुखे ऽमलं → पायुमुखे + अमलम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Sharira/lakshana portion)
FAQs
It conveys Sharira/Ayurveda-oriented technical anatomy: enumeration of key bodily channels and the principal sense and excretory/reproductive openings, useful for diagnosis and physiological classification.
By embedding a systematic anatomical catalog (organs, apertures, channels) within a Purana, it demonstrates the text’s encyclopedic scope—preserving medical/physiological knowledge alongside ritual, cosmology, and dharma.
By framing bodily openings as ‘amala’ (intrinsically pure), it supports a sāttvika view of the body as a lawful instrument for dharma and self-discipline, encouraging purity of conduct rather than bodily aversion.