Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
देवतानां द्विजानाञ्च गुरूणां प्रणतस्तु यः धर्मार्थकामकालज्ञस्त्रिकालज्ञो ऽभिधीयते
devatānāṃ dvijānāñca gurūṇāṃ praṇatastu yaḥ dharmārthakāmakālajñastrikālajño 'bhidhīyate
जो देवताओं, द्विजों और गुरुओं के प्रति विनयपूर्वक नतमस्तक रहता है, और धर्म, अर्थ तथा काम के उचित समय को जानता है, वह ‘त्रिकालज्ञ’ कहलाता है।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) speaking to Sage Vashistha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical training: cultivating reverence to gods, learned twice-born, and teachers; applying right timing (kala) to dharma/artha/kama decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Trikalajna (Knower of the three times) by humility and kala-jnana","lookup_keywords":["trikalajna","sadachara","guru-bhakti","devata-vandana","dharma-artha-kama-kala"],"quick_summary":"A ‘knower of the three times’ is defined not as a mere astrologer but as one grounded in reverence and capable of choosing proper timing for dharma, wealth, and desire."}
Concept: Sadachara (right conduct) and vinaya (humility) are prerequisites for true kala-jnana—wise action across past, present, and future implications.
Application: Before acting, bow to higher principles (devata, guru, dharma) and evaluate timing: what is appropriate now, what consequences follow, and what precedent is set.
Khanda Section: Niti-shastra / Sadachara (Ethics and Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined person bows to deities, learned brahmanas, and a seated guru; behind, symbolic wheels/clock motifs indicate ‘three times’ and timely action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior with lamp, devotee in añjali bowing to a deity panel and to a guru with palm-leaf manuscript, warm ochres, serene faces, symbolic three bands for past-present-future.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru on ornate seat with gold work, devotee prostrating, small deity icons above, rich gold borders, inscriptions of dharma-artha-kama around the frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: three vignettes labeled dharma/artha/kama with a single humble figure consulting a guru, fine lines, soft colors, manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scholar respectfully bowing to a teacher and learned men, subtle architectural arches, a small shrine niche, detailed garments, a discreet tripartite time motif in the margin."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dvijānāñca → dvijānām ca; praṇatastu → praṇataḥ tu; dharmārthakāmakālajñaḥ → dharma-artha-kāma-kāla-jñaḥ; trikālajño 'bhidhīyate → tri-kāla-jñaḥ abhidhīyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Niti-shastra / Sadachara section)
FAQs
It teaches sadācāra as a practical discipline: cultivate humility toward devas, dvijas, and gurus, and apply kāla-viveka—choosing the proper time and context for dharma, artha, and kāma—so actions become appropriate and effective.
By defining a key human competency—trikāla-jñatā (three-time awareness) through ethics and situational judgment—it connects spirituality (reverence), social order (dvija/guru respect), and governance-like prudence (timing of goals), showing the Purana’s broad coverage beyond myth into applied conduct.
Reverence to gods and teachers purifies pride and aligns one with dharma; acting with proper timing reduces harmful karma from impulsive choices, making one’s pursuit of artha and kāma dharma-consistent and spiritually stabilizing.