Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 243 — Strī-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics of a Woman
नाभिः प्रदक्षिणावर्ता गुह्यमश्वत्थपत्रवत् गुल्फौ निगूढौ मध्येन नाभिरङ्गुष्ठमानिका
nābhiḥ pradakṣiṇāvartā guhyamaśvatthapatravat gulphau nigūḍhau madhyena nābhiraṅguṣṭhamānikā
Le nombril tourne vers la droite (dans le sens des aiguilles d’une montre) ; la région intime a la forme d’une feuille d’aśvattha (figuier sacré) ; les chevilles sont bien dissimulées (sans saillie) ; et, au centre, le nombril a la mesure d’un pouce.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Anthropometric/physiognomic markers used to judge bodily ‘normalcy’ and auspicious formation (āvarta, concealed joints, proportional measures).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aṅga-lakṣaṇa: pradakṣiṇāvarta-nābhi, aśvattha-patra-guḥya, nigūḍha-gulpha, aṅguṣṭha-māna","lookup_keywords":["pradakṣiṇāvarta-nābhi","aśvattha-patra","guḥya-lakṣaṇa","nigūḍha-gulpha","aṅguṣṭha-māna"],"quick_summary":"The verse specifies auspicious bodily formations: a clockwise-turning navel, fig-leaf-like genital shape, non-prominent ankles, and thumb-measure at the navel’s center—serving as a proportional checklist."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Parimāṇa (measure) and āvarta (whorl/turning) are treated as meaningful bodily indicators.
Application: Used as a diagnostic/observational schema in sāmudrika and as a proportional ideal in descriptive traditions.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-shastra (Lakshana) / Ayurveda-Anthropometry (Aṅga-lakṣaṇa)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śṛṅgāra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Anatomical-ideal markers shown symbolically: a clockwise spiral at the navel, a fig-leaf motif indicating genital shape (kept modest/abstract), smooth concealed ankles, and a thumb-measure indicator at the navel center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized standing figure with modest abstraction, highlighted clockwise navel spiral, fig-leaf symbol motif, smooth ankle depiction, decorative measurement glyphs, traditional flat shading.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, idealized figure with gold ornamentation; symbolic icons near the body: clockwise spiral at navel, aśvattha leaf emblem, thumb-measure mark; rich colors, embossed gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram aesthetic with elegant figure, clear labels for nābhi-āvarta, gulpha, and māna; soft palette, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, physician/observer scene with a modestly depicted figure and symbolic overlays (spiral, leaf), careful naturalism, manuscript-illustration feel with marginal notes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुह्यमश्वत्थपत्रवत् = गुह्यम् अश्वत्थपत्रवत्; नाभिरङ्गुष्ठमानिका = नाभिः अङ्गुष्ठमानिका (विसर्ग-लोप/रुत्व).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 243 (aṅga-lakṣaṇa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches samudrika/lakṣaṇa indicators—specific anatomical features (navel spiral, concealed ankles, thumb-measured navel, fig-leaf-like genital form) used to classify an auspicious, well-formed body.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical knowledge systems such as physiognomy and bodily measurement—an applied “science of marks” used in traditional assessment of health, character, and auspiciousness.
Such lakṣaṇas are traditionally treated as signs of prior merit (puṇya) and auspicious destiny, indicating harmony of form and favorable life outcomes rather than being a ritual act itself.