Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
चित्रिकस्त्रिप्रलम्बः स्याद्वृषणे भुजयोर्नरः दिग्देशजातिवर्गांश् च तेजसा यशसा श्रिया
citrikastripralambaḥ syādvṛṣaṇe bhujayornaraḥ digdeśajātivargāṃś ca tejasā yaśasā śriyā
जिस पुरुष में ‘चित्रिक’ नामक चिह्न हो और ‘त्रिप्रलम्ब’ नामक लक्षण भी हो—विशेषतः यदि ये वृषणों या भुजाओं पर हों—वह तेज, यश और श्री के द्वारा दिशा, देश, जाति और वर्ग से प्रतिष्ठित जनों से भी बढ़कर होता है।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Physiognomic/omen-based evaluation: interpreting specific bodily marks (citrika, tripralamba) on particular locations (scrotum, arms) as indicators of future eminence—used in traditional selection of attendants, warriors, or auspicious persons (with caution).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Samudrika: Citrika & Tripralamba marks and their phala","lookup_keywords":["samudrika","citrika","tripralamba","vṛṣaṇa","bhujā","phala"],"quick_summary":"States that a man bearing the citrika mark and the tripralamba feature—especially on scrotum or arms—surpasses others by radiance, fame, and prosperity. A physiognomic ‘phala’ rule."}
Concept: Phala-vāda via bodily marks: external signs are mapped to social success (tejas, yaśas, śrī).
Application: If used, treat as a cultural omen system rather than deterministic truth; combine with observed competence and conduct.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-shastra (Physiognomy & bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physiognomist examines a man’s arms (and discreetly indicates the other location via symbolic icon), pointing to small distinctive marks labeled citrika and tripralamba; behind them, symbols of tejas (radiance), yaśas (banner), and śrī (lotus/coins).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, scholar examining forearms with stylized mark motifs, symbolic panels for tejas-yaśas-śrī, traditional attire, flat colors, clear iconography, respectful modest composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, nobleman with highlighted arm marks, gold-leaf accents on prosperity symbols (lotus, coins, banner), ornate frame, saturated palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like scene: close-up of arm with labeled marks (citrika, tripralamba), side icons for outcomes (radiance, fame, prosperity), fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court astrologer/physiognomist presenting findings to a patron, detailed rendering of arm marks, prosperity emblems in margins, refined indoor setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चित्रिकस्त्रिप्रलम्बः = चित्रिकः + त्रिप्रलम्बः (विसर्गसन्धि); स्याद्वृषणे = स्यात् + वृषणे (व्यञ्जनसन्धि); दिग्देश... = दिक् + देश...; वर्गांश् = वर्गान् (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जनसन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana samudrika/śārīra-lakṣaṇa passages on marks and results; Agni Purana rājadharma sections where selection of capable persons is discussed
FAQs
It imparts Samudrika-vidya: interpreting specific bodily marks (citrika, tripralamba) and their placement (scrotum/arms) as indicators of a man’s future radiance, fame, and prosperity.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge systems like physiognomy/omen-science, cataloging technical signs and predicted outcomes—an example of its wide, encyclopedic scope.
The verse frames prosperity and renown as outwardly legible results of prior merit (puṇya) and auspicious karmic conditioning, with bodily signs treated as indicators of that accumulated fortune.