Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 16
Chapter 366 — सामान्यनामलिङ्गानि
Common Noun-Forms and Their Grammatical Genders
स्तोकाल्पक्षुल्लकाः सूक्ष्मं श्लक्ष्णं दभ्रंकृशन्तनु मात्राकुटीलवकणा भूयिष्ठं पुरुहं पुरु
stokālpakṣullakāḥ sūkṣmaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ dabhraṃkṛśantanu mātrākuṭīlavakaṇā bhūyiṣṭhaṃ puruhaṃ puru
તેઓ સ્તોક, અલ્પ અને ક્ષુલ્લક—અર્થાત્ નાની કાયાવાળા—સૂક્ષ્મ, મૃદુ, ઓછા માંસવાળા અને કૃશદેહી હોય છે. તેમની માપ-પ્રમાણ વાંકાં અને અનિયમિત હોય છે; વાળ સૂક્ષ્મ અને વળાંકદાર હોય છે. આવા લક્ષણો બહુજનમાં વધુ પ્રમાણમાં જોવા મળે છે.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Prakṛti/śarīra-lakṣaṇa recognition: identifying a constitutional type by body build, skin/hair texture, and irregular measurements to guide diet, lifestyle, and prognosis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śarīra-lakṣaṇa: Small, thin-bodied constitution with fine curled hair","lookup_keywords":["kṛśa-tanu","sūkṣma-ślakṣṇa","mātrā-kuṭila","vakra","sūkṣma-kaccha"],"quick_summary":"Describes a phenotype: scanty build, smooth/minute features, little flesh, thin body, irregular/crooked measures, fine curled hair. Such lakṣaṇas help infer constitution and tailor regimen."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Knowledge of embodied variation (deha-bheda) as a basis for appropriate conduct and care.
Application: Use observed lakṣaṇas to choose compatible regimen (āhāra-vihāra) and to anticipate vulnerabilities like dryness, fatigue, and instability typical of vāta predominance.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana / Sharira-lakshana: bodily and constitutional characteristics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic teacher points out bodily markers on a slender person: thin limbs, smooth fine skin, irregular proportions, and fine curled hair; a palm-leaf medical text lies open.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya-ācārya demonstrating prakṛti-lakṣaṇas on a slim figure, stylized curls, muted earth tones, temple-mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vaidya with manuscript, slender figure shown in profile with highlighted features, gold accents on borders and text headings","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical illustration feel, clear outlines of body proportions and hair texture, labeled lakṣaṇas in Devanagari, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, physician in a clinic examining a thin patient, detailed textiles and instruments, open manuscript with marginal notes, naturalistic curls"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: stokālpakṣullakāḥ is resolved as स्तोक + अल्प + क्षुल्लकाः (list; no single compound intended). दभ्रंकृशन्तनु is resolved as दभ्रम् + कृश + तनु (list). मात्राकुटीलवकणा is resolved as मात्राः + कुटीलाः + वकणाः (list). puruhaṃ is taken as पुरु + हम् (lexical particle in some nighaṇṭu-style lists).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda on prakṛti, dhātu, and roga-nidāna; Agni Purana sections describing bodily marks (lakṣaṇa) for health and longevity
FAQs
Ayurvedic diagnostic knowledge: the verse lists observable bodily traits (small build, smooth texture, thinness, irregular proportions, curled fine hair) used for assessing constitution and clinical tendencies.
It exemplifies the Purana’s inclusion of applied sciences (Ayurveda) alongside theology—preserving clinical descriptors and technical vocabulary for bodily assessment within a broader compendium of knowledge.
By promoting careful observation and appropriate care of the body, it supports dharmic living—reducing harm through informed treatment and sustaining the body as an instrument for duty, worship, and righteous conduct.