Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 46 — शालग्रामादिमूर्तिलक्षणकथनं
Exposition of the Characteristics of Śālagrāma and Other Sacred Forms
इन्द्रनीलनिभः स्थूलस्त्रिरेखालाञ्छितः शुभः कूर्मस्तथोन्नतः पृष्ठे वर्तुलावर्तको ऽसितः
indranīlanibhaḥ sthūlastrirekhālāñchitaḥ śubhaḥ kūrmastathonnataḥ pṛṣṭhe vartulāvartako 'sitaḥ
Il est de couleur semblable à l’indranīla (saphir), grand et de bon augure, marqué de trois lignes. Il est tel une tortue et surélevé ; au revers se trouve un tourbillon circulaire de teinte sombre.
Lord Agni (teaching to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Auspicious-mark recognition (samudrika/physiognomy) for identifying sacred/fortunate bodily signs used in iconography, consecration scrutiny, and traditional omen-reading.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śubha-lakṣaṇa: sapphire hue, three lines, tortoise-like raised form, dark back-whorl","lookup_keywords":["indranīla-nibha","trirekhā-lāñchita","kūrma-unnata","pṛṣṭha-āvarta","asita-vartula"],"quick_summary":"Lists auspicious bodily marks: sapphire-blue complexion, large form, three line-marks, a tortoise-like raised feature, and a dark circular whorl on the back."}
Concept: Śubha-lakṣaṇa as a dhārmic indicator: auspicious marks signify fitness for sacred roles and proper representation.
Application: Used to evaluate icons (lakṣaṇa-sampatti), select ritual representations, and maintain traditional standards of auspicious depiction.
Khanda Section: Lakshana-shastra (Samudrika / Physiognomy: bodily marks and auspicious signs)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A figure (divine/royal archetype) shown with sapphire-blue complexion, robust build, three auspicious line-marks, a tortoise-like raised contour, and a dark circular whorl on the back—presented as a physiognomic teaching plate.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, sapphire-blue figure in calm stance, three subtle line-marks highlighted, back shown with dark circular whorl, tortoise-like raised contour indicated with stylized shading, temple mural borders and palm-leaf annotation feel","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deep blue complexion with gold highlights, three line-marks rendered as delicate gold strokes, back-whorl as dark medallion-like circle, ornate frame and halo, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic two-view plate (front/back), precise marking of trirekhā and pṛṣṭha-āvarta, gentle colors and fine outlines, Sanskrit labels for each lakṣaṇa","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, anatomical/physiognomic study with refined shading, sapphire-toned skin, back view showing dark circular whorl, marginal notes and floral borders like a manuscript illustration"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इन्द्रनीलनिभः = इन्द्रनील-निभः; स्थूलस्त्रिरेखालाञ्छितः = स्थूल-त्रि-रेखा-लाञ्छितः (स् + त्रि → स्त्रि); कूर्मस्तथोन्नतः = कूर्मः + तथा + उन्नतः (visarga sandhi; अ + उ → ओ); वर्तुलावर्तकोऽसितः = वर्तुल-आवर्तकः + असितः (अः + अ → ओऽ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Lakṣaṇa-śāstra / samudrika portions; Agni Purana: Murti-parīkṣā and pratimā-lakṣaṇa related passages
FAQs
It imparts samudrika-lakṣaṇa knowledge: identifying auspicious bodily characteristics—color (sapphire-like), specific line-marks (three lines), raised/tortoise-like form, and a dark circular whorl on the back.
By cataloging physiognomic diagnostics (lakṣaṇa) alongside other disciplines, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of applied traditional knowledge—here, the interpretive science of bodily signs used for assessing auspiciousness.
These marks are presented as indicators of śubha (auspicious merit), implying prior puṇya and favorable destiny; recognizing them supports dharmic decision-making (e.g., selection of worthy persons) within a religious worldview.