Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 243 — Strī-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics of a Woman
न लोलुपा न दुर्भाषा शुभा देवादिपूजिता गण्डैर् मधूकपुष्पाभैर् न शिराला न लोमशा
na lolupā na durbhāṣā śubhā devādipūjitā gaṇḍair madhūkapuṣpābhair na śirālā na lomaśā
അവൾ ലോഭിനിയല്ല, ദുർഭാഷിണിയുമല്ല; അവൾ ശുഭയും ദേവാദികളാൽ പൂജിതയും ആകുന്നു. അവളുടെ കവിളുകൾ മധൂകപുഷ്പങ്ങളെപ്പോലെ; അവൾ ശിരകൾ തെളിഞ്ഞതല്ല, അതിലോമശയും അല്ല.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing the sage Vasiṣṭha (dialogue-frame attribution)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Assessment of auspicious bodily and behavioral traits in strī-parīkṣā (marriage/household suitability) and general physiognomic evaluation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Strī-lakṣaṇa: śubha-guṇa and deha-cihna (cheeks, hair, veins)","lookup_keywords":["strīlakṣaṇa","ganḍa (cheeks)","madhūka-puṣpa","aśirāla","alomaśa"],"quick_summary":"Auspicious woman is described by ethical restraint (non-greed, gentle speech) and pleasing bodily signs (flower-like cheeks, not prominent veins, not excessively hairy). Used as a checklist in strī-lakṣaṇa sections."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Outer auspicious marks are paired with inner restraint (alobha, su-vāk) as indicators of śubhatva.
Application: In household ethics, prioritize character (speech, greedlessness) alongside appearance when judging suitability.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Stri-lakshana (ideal feminine characteristics and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: Śṛṅgāra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed, auspicious woman with gentle expression; cheeks compared to madhūka blossoms; smooth limbs without prominent veins or excess body hair; devotional aura of being honored by gods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, auspicious woman seated in graceful posture, soft lotus-like face, cheeks tinted like madhūka blossoms, minimal ornamentation, divine attendants indicating deva-pūjita, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, auspicious woman with serene face and madhūka-flower cheeks, rich silk attire, heavy jewelry, subtle halo suggesting śubhatva, gold leaf highlights, symmetrical frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework showing gentle brows and smooth limbs (no visible veins), delicate floral motif of madhūka near the cheeks, calm domestic setting, muted palette with fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly portrait of a noble woman with soft cheeks like blossoms, naturalistic shading, minimal body hair depiction, attendants offering flowers, detailed textiles and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṇḍair → gaṇḍaiḥ (visarga sandhi); madhūkapuṣpābhair → madhūka-puṣpa-ābhaiḥ (compound + plural instrumental).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 243 (Strī-lakṣaṇa section); Agni Purana 244 (transition to royal insignia)
FAQs
It conveys strī-lakṣaṇa (physiognomic and behavioral markers) used in traditional Ayurveda-influenced omenology/compatibility assessment: auspicious conduct (non-greed, gentle speech) and bodily indicators (cheeks, absence of prominent veins or excess hair).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogues practical knowledge systems—here, social-physiognomic criteria and body-sign interpretation—showing its wide scope alongside ritual, governance, medicine, and aesthetics.
The verse links inner virtues (non-greed, pleasant speech) with śubhatva (auspiciousness), implying that ethical disposition supports harmony, merit, and household prosperity, while bodily signs are treated as indicators of that auspicious temperament.