Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
नासायां वदने स्वेदे कक्षयोर्विडगन्धकः ह्रस्वं लिङ्गं तथा ग्रीवा जङ्घे स्याद्वेदह्रस्वकं
nāsāyāṃ vadane svede kakṣayorviḍagandhakaḥ hrasvaṃ liṅgaṃ tathā grīvā jaṅghe syādvedahrasvakaṃ
Lorsque se manifeste une odeur fécale dans le nez, la bouche, la sueur et les aisselles, et qu’il y a raccourcissement (diminution) de l’organe génital ainsi que du cou, alors les jambes inférieures (tibias) se raccourcissent aussi : cet état est nommé vedahrasvaka.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clinical roga-nidana by using gandha (odor) and deha-parinama (morphological change) as diagnostic signs to name and differentiate a condition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vedahrasvaka—lakshana (fecal odor and shortening of organs/limbs)","lookup_keywords":["vedahrasvaka","vidgandha","roga-nidana","deha-hrasva","gandha-pariksha"],"quick_summary":"A condition is identified when fecal odor pervades breath/sweat regions and there is progressive shortening of genital/neck/shanks; the verse functions as a diagnostic definition by lakshana."}
Concept: Lakshana-based knowledge: naming a condition through observable signs (gandha and hrasatva).
Application: Trains the physician to rely on pratyaksha (direct observation) and consistent sign-clusters for diagnosis.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-Nidana / Lakshana: bodily signs and diagnostic odors)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic examiner observes a patient: checking breath near mouth/nose, noting sweat/armpit odor, and measuring/observing shortening of genital region, neck, and shanks as diagnostic markers of vedahrasvaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, muted mineral pigments, an Ayurvedic vaidya in traditional attire examining a seated patient, subtle visual cues of odor (stylized wafting lines) near nose/mouth and armpit, palm-leaf manuscript in hand, clinical setting with simple cot, flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, central vaidya holding palm-leaf and small oil lamp, patient seated, symbolic lotus border, gold highlights on diagnostic instruments, stylized wafting lines indicating gandha, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: labeled body regions (nose, mouth, sweat, armpit, neck, shanks) with Sanskrit callouts, calm clinic interior, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court-physician scene, physician smelling near patient’s mouth and examining limbs, attendants with water bowl and cloth, architectural interior with patterned carpet, naturalistic anatomy and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षयोर्विडगन्धकः → कक्षयोः + विडगन्धकः; स्याद्वेदह्रस्वकं → स्यात् + वेदह्रस्वकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Roga-nidana/Lakshana section)
FAQs
Ayurvedic diagnostic knowledge: it lists characteristic bodily odors (fecal smell in breath/sweat/armpits) and bodily shortening/wasting (genitals, neck, shanks) used to identify a named wasting-type condition, vedahrasvaka.
It exemplifies the Purana’s medical-technical cataloging: alongside theology and ritual, it preserves clinical observation-based Ayurveda—symptom clusters, disease naming, and practical diagnosis.
While primarily medical, Purāṇic Ayurveda is framed as dharmic self-care: recognizing illness early supports bodily purity and capacity for daily duties (nitya-karma), worship, and disciplined living.