Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
तारकाभ्यां विना नेत्रे शुक्रदन्तो द्विशुक्लकः गम्भीरस्त्रिश्रवो नाभिः सत्त्वञ्चैकं त्रिकं स्मृतं
tārakābhyāṃ vinā netre śukradanto dviśuklakaḥ gambhīrastriśravo nābhiḥ sattvañcaikaṃ trikaṃ smṛtaṃ
नेत्रे तारका (पुतळी) नसतात; दात शुक्रासारखे शुभ्र; द्विविध श्वेतता सांगितली आहे; स्वर गभीर; नाभी त्रिविध वलय/भ्रमरयुक्त; आणि सत्त्व एक मानले आहे, तर त्रिक त्रिविध स्मरणीय आहे।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Serves as lakṣaṇa-based assessment: observing eyes, teeth color, voice depth, navel folds, and ‘sattva’ indicators for diagnosis/prognosis or classification of bodily constitution/marks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śārīra-lakṣaṇa: ocular/daśana/śabda/nābhi marks and sattva count","lookup_keywords":["śārīra-lakṣaṇa","netra","danta","gambhīra-svara","nābhi-triśrava"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates bodily signs—eye feature, whiteness of teeth, deep voice, triple-fold navel—and a note on ‘sattva’ as one versus a remembered triad. Intended for observational assessment."}
Concept: Knowledge through lakṣaṇa (sign-based inference): external marks are used to infer internal qualities (sattva/constitution).
Application: Train practitioners to observe systematically and record signs before concluding about strength, vitality, or temperament.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Śārīra / Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: bodily marks and diagnostic features)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic examiner observes a seated person: eyes, teeth, voice (depicted by sound lines), and navel with three folds; a palm-leaf chart lists the signs and the ‘sattva’ note.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya examining patient, stylized close-up panels of eye/teeth/navel, deep-voice motif, traditional clinic setting, muted greens and reds, clear icon-like compartments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vaidya with patient, gold-highlighted diagnostic chart, emphasis on teeth whiteness and navel folds with decorative framing, rich maroons and gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical illustration: labeled features (netra, danta, svara, nābhi), fine linework, soft pastel washes, manuscript aesthetic","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, physician in a chamber examining patient, attendants holding manuscript, detailed rendering of facial features and navel area (modest, stylized), refined textiles and instruments"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्त्वञ्चैकं = सत्त्वम् + च + एकम् (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जनसन्धि); गम्भीरस्त्रिश्रवो = गम्भीरः + त्रिश्रवः (विसर्गसन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana āyurveda/śārīra prakaraṇas on lakṣaṇa and parīkṣā methods; Agni Purana samudrika/physiognomy passages on auspicious marks
FAQs
It imparts lakṣaṇa-vidyā—technical identification of bodily/physiological markers (eyes, teeth, voice, navel features) used for assessment in traditional diagnostic and physiognomic evaluation.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge such as Ayurveda-linked diagnostics and physiognomy, cataloging observable traits and their classifications (one/threefold groupings) as part of a wider compendium.
Such lakṣaṇas are traditionally treated as outward indicators of inner sattva (purity/strength) and past karmic formation, guiding ethical self-cultivation and prudent social/medical judgment rather than mere appearance-based pride.