Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
नासायां वदने स्वेदे कक्षयोर्विडगन्धकः ह्रस्वं लिङ्गं तथा ग्रीवा जङ्घे स्याद्वेदह्रस्वकं
nāsāyāṃ vadane svede kakṣayorviḍagandhakaḥ hrasvaṃ liṅgaṃ tathā grīvā jaṅghe syādvedahrasvakaṃ
បើមានក្លិនដូចអាចម៍នៅក្នុងច្រមុះ មាត់ ញើស និងក្លៀក ហើយអង្គលិង្គខ្លី ក និងជង្គង់ក្រោមក៏ខ្លីផង នោះហៅថា «វេដហ្រាស្វក»។
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clinical roga-nidana by using gandha (odor) and deha-parinama (morphological change) as diagnostic signs to name and differentiate a condition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vedahrasvaka—lakshana (fecal odor and shortening of organs/limbs)","lookup_keywords":["vedahrasvaka","vidgandha","roga-nidana","deha-hrasva","gandha-pariksha"],"quick_summary":"A condition is identified when fecal odor pervades breath/sweat regions and there is progressive shortening of genital/neck/shanks; the verse functions as a diagnostic definition by lakshana."}
Concept: Lakshana-based knowledge: naming a condition through observable signs (gandha and hrasatva).
Application: Trains the physician to rely on pratyaksha (direct observation) and consistent sign-clusters for diagnosis.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-Nidana / Lakshana: bodily signs and diagnostic odors)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic examiner observes a patient: checking breath near mouth/nose, noting sweat/armpit odor, and measuring/observing shortening of genital region, neck, and shanks as diagnostic markers of vedahrasvaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, muted mineral pigments, an Ayurvedic vaidya in traditional attire examining a seated patient, subtle visual cues of odor (stylized wafting lines) near nose/mouth and armpit, palm-leaf manuscript in hand, clinical setting with simple cot, flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, central vaidya holding palm-leaf and small oil lamp, patient seated, symbolic lotus border, gold highlights on diagnostic instruments, stylized wafting lines indicating gandha, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: labeled body regions (nose, mouth, sweat, armpit, neck, shanks) with Sanskrit callouts, calm clinic interior, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court-physician scene, physician smelling near patient’s mouth and examining limbs, attendants with water bowl and cloth, architectural interior with patterned carpet, naturalistic anatomy and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षयोर्विडगन्धकः → कक्षयोः + विडगन्धकः; स्याद्वेदह्रस्वकं → स्यात् + वेदह्रस्वकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Roga-nidana/Lakshana section)
FAQs
Ayurvedic diagnostic knowledge: it lists characteristic bodily odors (fecal smell in breath/sweat/armpits) and bodily shortening/wasting (genitals, neck, shanks) used to identify a named wasting-type condition, vedahrasvaka.
It exemplifies the Purana’s medical-technical cataloging: alongside theology and ritual, it preserves clinical observation-based Ayurveda—symptom clusters, disease naming, and practical diagnosis.
While primarily medical, Purāṇic Ayurveda is framed as dharmic self-care: recognizing illness early supports bodily purity and capacity for daily duties (nitya-karma), worship, and disciplined living.