Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
धन्यस्य मधुरा वाणी गतिर्मत्तेभसन्निभा एककूपभवं रोम भये रक्षा सकृत् सकृत्
dhanyasya madhurā vāṇī gatirmattebhasannibhā ekakūpabhavaṃ roma bhaye rakṣā sakṛt sakṛt
भाग्यवान पुरुष की वाणी मधुर होती है और उसकी चाल मदमत्त हाथी के समान होती है। एक ही रोमकूप से उत्पन्न एक बाल भी भय के समय बार-बार रक्षा करता है।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Sāmudrika/physiognomic reading for assessing auspiciousness and character through speech, gait, and bodily marks; used in social decision-making (marriage, counsel, patronage).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Puruṣa-śubha-lakṣaṇa: madhura-vāṇī, mattagaja-gati, ekakūpa-romā","lookup_keywords":["puruṣa-lakṣaṇa","madhura-vāṇī","mattagaja-gati","ekakūpa-romā","bhaya-rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Sweet speech and elephant-like gait are stated as auspicious male markers. A rare hair arising singly from one pore is treated as a protective omen in fearful situations."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Śubha-aśubha-nimitta: external signs are read as indicators of fortune and protection.
Application: Applied as a conventional diagnostic of social auspiciousness; encourages cultivation of pleasant speech as a valued trait.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kāvya-śāstra) – Lakṣaṇa (omens/physiognomy) and descriptive markers
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An auspicious man speaking gently, walking with a slow, swaying elephant-like gait; a close-up motif of a single hair emerging from one pore as an omen of protection during fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, auspicious man with serene face and sweet speech gesture (abhaya-like hand), subtle depiction of elephant-gait posture, symbolic single hair mark highlighted, temple-mural flat shading, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure of a noble man with sweet expression, gold-leaf halo-like ornamentation, stylized elephant motif behind indicating gait, small inset showing single hair from pore as protective omen, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional panel layout: (1) sweet speech, (2) elephant-like gait, (3) single-pore hair omen; soft colors, minimal background, caption-like cartouches.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly gentleman walking in garden, attendants observing his gait, fine detailing of face and textiles; tiny marginal vignette of the single hair omen; naturalistic palette and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मत्तेभसन्निभा = मत्तेभ-सन्निभा; एककूपभवं = एक-कूप-भवम्. श्लोके क्रिया (अस्ति/भवति) लुप्ता (elliptical) मानी।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Puruṣa-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana 243 (Strī-lakṣaṇa continuation)
FAQs
It conveys lakṣaṇa-vidyā (physiognomic/omen science): sweet speech and a majestic, steady gait are auspicious traits, and an unusual hair-sign (a single hair arising from one pore) is treated as a repeated protective indication during danger.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves pragmatic cultural sciences like śakuna/lakṣaṇa—systems for reading character and fate through bodily marks—showing its wide-ranging, compendium-style scope.
Auspicious bodily and behavioral signs are framed as results of prior merit (puṇya); recognizing them reinforces the idea that virtuous conduct and accumulated karma manifest as protective fortune in times of fear.