Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Chapter 243 — Strī-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics of a Woman
जठरन्न प्रलम्बञ्च रोमरूक्षा न शोभना नर्क्षवृक्षनदीनाम्नी न सदा कलहप्रिया
jaṭharanna pralambañca romarūkṣā na śobhanā narkṣavṛkṣanadīnāmnī na sadā kalahapriyā
Dia tidak seharusnya berperut buncit, dan tidak pula bertubuh terjuntai; tidak berambut kasar, dan tidak kurang seri. Dia tidak seharusnya mempunyai nama yang berkaitan dengan beruang, pokok, atau sungai; dan tidak seharusnya sentiasa gemar bertengkar.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s nīti/lakṣaṇa material to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Norm-setting guidance for selecting a spouse/household member by avoiding bodily and behavioral inauspicious traits and socially ‘inauspicious’ naming conventions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśubha-strī-nivāraṇa: deha-doṣa, keśa-rūkṣatā, nāma-doṣa, kalaha-śīla","lookup_keywords":["aśubha-lakṣaṇa","jathara-pralamba","roma-rūkṣa","nāma-doṣa","kalaha-priyā"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists traits to avoid: pot-belly, pendulous/ill-formed limbs, rough hair, lack of beauty, certain ‘inauspicious’ name-associations, and a quarrelsome disposition—framing social selection rules."}
Concept: Gṛhastha-sukha is linked (in this tradition) to śubha-lakṣaṇa and to avoidance of kalaha (chronic quarrel).
Application: Used as prescriptive social counsel for household harmony and spouse-selection according to the text’s normative framework.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Lakṣaṇa-śāstra (Guidelines on auspicious and inauspicious traits)
Primary Rasa: Śānta
Secondary Rasa: Bībhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene contrasting acceptable vs. avoidable traits: a calm harmonious woman on one side; on the other, symbolic cues for pot-belly, rough hair, and quarrelsome speech; a scribe/teacher indicating a list of prohibitions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, teacher-sage pointing to palm-leaf list of aśubha traits, two female figures in contrasting depiction (harmonious vs. quarrelsome), stylized symbols for rough hair and pot-belly, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, didactic tableau with gold-leaf accents: central guru with scroll, left auspicious woman, right inauspicious traits shown symbolically; rich temple-arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional split-panel composition with clear visual contrasts and labels, soft colors, emphasis on behavioral cue (quarrel) through gestures and facial expression.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic interior with counselor presenting a list; one figure calm, another arguing; fine detailing of textiles and expressions; marginal icons for name-omens (bear/tree/river motifs)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रलम्बञ्च = प्रलम्बम् च (अनुस्वार/व्यञ्जनसन्धि). ‘नर्क्ष…’ पाठः सम्भवतः ‘न + ऋक्ष…’ (न ऋक्षवृक्षनदीनाम्नी) इति; देवनागरी-IAST मध्ये पाठभेदः सम्भाव्यः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 243 (aśubha/śubha strī-lakṣaṇa continuation)
FAQs
It gives nīti/lakṣaṇa guidance used in traditional matchmaking: avoid inauspicious bodily traits, quarrelsome temperament, and even certain omen-bearing name-types (animal/tree/river-associated names).
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also compiles practical social norms—here, household and marital selection criteria—showing its wide coverage of dharma, omens, and conduct.
The verse frames harmony in gṛhastha life as a dharmic good: choosing a non-quarrelsome, auspiciously characterized partner is presented as reducing conflict and supporting righteous living and merit.