Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 25
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
रूक्षं शिराततं गात्रमशुभं मांसवर्जितं दुर्गन्धिविपरीतं यच्छस्तन्दृष्ट्या प्रसन्नया
rūkṣaṃ śirātataṃ gātramaśubhaṃ māṃsavarjitaṃ durgandhiviparītaṃ yacchastandṛṣṭyā prasannayā
जेव्हा देह रूक्ष होतो, शिरा उठून दिसतात, तो अशुभ भासतो व मांसवर्जित असतो; तसेच दुर्गंधीयुक्त व विकृत अवस्थेत असतो—तरीही तो प्रसन्न, शांत दृष्टीने दाखविला जातो—हे अमंगल शकुन-लक्षण मानले जाते.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Arishta-lakṣaṇa (ominous prognostic signs) for clinical prognosis and end-of-life assessment; guides urgency, counseling, and ritual preparedness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa: dryness, prominent veins, emaciation, fetor, distortion with incongruent cheerfulness","lookup_keywords":["ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa","roga-nidāna","prognosis","śirā-tata","durgandha"],"quick_summary":"Describes a cluster of ominous signs—dryness, prominent veins, loss of flesh, foul odor, abnormality—especially when paired with an incongruously pleased demeanor. Indicates grave prognosis and need for immediate, realistic clinical judgment."}
Dosha: Vata
Alamkara Type: Virodha (apparent contradiction: grave bodily signs with ‘prasanna’ look)
Concept: Truthful discernment (yathārtha-jñāna) in the face of decline; compassion guided by realism.
Application: Physician/caregiver should not be misled by superficial cheerfulness; act promptly, counsel family, and align care with likely outcome.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Roga-nidana (Diagnosis and Prognosis)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician observes an emaciated patient: dry skin, prominent veins, foul odor implied by attendants covering noses, bodily distortion—yet the patient wears a calm, pleased expression; the physician looks grave.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, physician and attendants around a thin patient on a cot, stylized prominent veins and dryness, muted somber palette, patient’s serene face contrasted with worried onlookers.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dramatic contrast: patient’s serene visage with gold-highlighted aura-like calm, while the physician’s posture is solemn; ornate interior with medicinal vessels, restrained but rich detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clinical instructional scene: physician palpating pulse, visual cues for dryness and emaciation, subtle annotations near signs (rūkṣa, śirā-tata, durgandha), soft tones.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed sickroom with physician, attendants, incense failing to mask odor, patient smiling faintly despite wasting, expressive faces and fine textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gātramaśubham = gātram+aśubham. yacchastandṛṣṭyā = yat+chastam+dṛṣṭyā (sandhi: t + ch → cch).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (roga-nidāna/ariṣṭa context); Agni Purana āyurveda prognostic sign passages (adjacent verses)
FAQs
Ayurvedic prognostics (ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇa): identifying fatal/ominous clinical signs such as extreme dryness, prominent veins, emaciation, and foul odor—especially when accompanied by an incongruously cheerful demeanor.
It demonstrates the Agni Purana’s inclusion of practical medical science—specifically diagnostic and prognostic criteria—alongside its ritual, ethical, and spiritual teachings.
Recognizing ariṣṭa signs prompts timely spiritual preparation—repentance, charity, and rites—when death or severe decline is indicated, aligning medical observation with dharmic readiness.