Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
जान्वोरुर्वोश् च पृष्ठस्थ वंशौ द्वौ करनासयोः नेत्रे नासापुटौ कर्णौ मेढ्रं पायुमुखे ऽमलं
jānvorurvoś ca pṛṣṭhastha vaṃśau dvau karanāsayoḥ netre nāsāpuṭau karṇau meḍhraṃ pāyumukhe 'malaṃ
जानू व ऊरूजवळ पाठीकडे स्थित दोन ‘वंश’ (नलिका) मानले आहेत. कर्म व वाणीकरिता दोन (इंद्रिये) आहेत; दोन डोळे, दोन नासापुटे, दोन कान; तसेच मेढ्र व पायु—ही देहाची निर्मळ द्वारे आहेत.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Anatomical mapping of bodily openings and paired structures for teaching sharira and for clinical localization during examination and therapy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sharira-mapping—paired channels/indriya-dvara and the ‘stainless openings’","lookup_keywords":["sharira","dvara","netra","nasa-putau","meढra-payu"],"quick_summary":"Maps key paired structures (eyes, nostrils, ears) and principal outlets (penis, anus), presenting them as bodily openings to be understood in sharira study."}
Concept: Body as a system of dvaras (gateways) and paired instruments—ordered knowledge for disciplined inquiry.
Application: Supports diagnostic reasoning (which dvara is affected) and ethical care (protecting vulnerable openings).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Sharira (Anatomy and bodily mapping)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic human figure with highlighted openings: eyes, nostrils, ears, penis, anus; paired structures are shown symmetrically, with subtle lines indicating channels along the back near knees/thighs as described.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural schematic-human depiction with stylized symmetry, highlighted facial openings and lower outlets, minimal background, Sanskrit labels in traditional script style, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore icon-like anatomical diagram with gold outlines around the nine/major openings, lotus medallions marking each dvara, rich color blocks and ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as a didactic plate: clean outlines, numbered labels for each opening (netra, nasa-putau, karna, meढra, payu), gentle shading, manuscript-like margins.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature scientific illustration vibe: naturalistic figure with annotated callouts, fine brushwork, pale background wash, cartouches naming each opening."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उरुर्वोश् → उर्वोः; पायुमुखे ऽमलं → पायुमुखे + अमलम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Sharira/lakshana portion)
FAQs
It conveys Sharira/Ayurveda-oriented technical anatomy: enumeration of key bodily channels and the principal sense and excretory/reproductive openings, useful for diagnosis and physiological classification.
By embedding a systematic anatomical catalog (organs, apertures, channels) within a Purana, it demonstrates the text’s encyclopedic scope—preserving medical/physiological knowledge alongside ritual, cosmology, and dharma.
By framing bodily openings as ‘amala’ (intrinsically pure), it supports a sāttvika view of the body as a lawful instrument for dharma and self-discipline, encouraging purity of conduct rather than bodily aversion.