Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
वक्षः कक्षौ नखा नासोन्नतं वक्त्रं कृकाटिका स्निग्धास्त्वक्केशदन्ताश् च लोम दृष्टिर्नखाश् च वाक्
vakṣaḥ kakṣau nakhā nāsonnataṃ vaktraṃ kṛkāṭikā snigdhāstvakkeśadantāś ca loma dṛṣṭirnakhāś ca vāk
ବକ୍ଷ, କକ୍ଷ, ନଖ, ଉନ୍ନତ ନାସା, ମୁଖ ଓ ଗ୍ରୀବାର ପଶ୍ଚାତ୍ଭାଗ; ଏବଂ ସ୍ନିଗ୍ଧ ତ୍ୱଚା, କେଶ, ଦାନ୍ତ; ଦେହରୋମ, ଦୃଷ୍ଟି, ନଖ ଓ ବାକ୍—ଏହି ସବୁ ଲକ୍ଷଣ ଭାବେ ପରୀକ୍ଷ୍ୟ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as customary for Agni Purāṇa’s instructional chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Systematic checklist for bodily examination (pariksha) focusing on texture (snigdha), form (unnata), and functional indicators (drishti, vak) used to infer health and auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Parikshya-deha-lakshana—chest/armpit/nose/face/nape; smooth skin-hair-teeth; gaze, voice","lookup_keywords":["pariksha","snigdha-tvaca","unnata-nasa","drishti","vak-lakshana"],"quick_summary":"Gives a compact inventory of features to examine—thorax and axilla, nails, elevated nose, face and nape, smooth skin/hair/teeth, body hair, gaze, and voice."}
Concept: Holistic assessment: external form and sensory-function (drishti, vak) together indicate inner condition.
Application: Encourages multi-parameter examination rather than single-sign inference.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Lakṣaṇa-śāstra / Sāmudrika—physiognomic signs of the body)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician or examiner evaluates a person’s chest/axilla, nails, nose profile, face and nape, then observes skin sheen, hair/teeth smoothness, body hair, gaze, and voice—shown as sequential inspection panels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with panel-like narrative: examiner gestures to chest and armpit, then profile of raised nose, close-up of gaze and speaking mouth, earthy palette, stylized anatomy, palm-leaf manuscript motif.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, triptych composition with gold borders: (1) chest/axilla inspection, (2) profile with prominent nose and face, (3) gaze and voice depiction; gold highlights on nails and facial contours.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional chart, fine outlines and soft colors, labeled features (vaktra, nasa, krikatika, drishti, vak), calm didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate diagnostic scene with naturalistic portraiture; physician observing the subject’s eyes and listening to voice, detailed textiles, subtle shading on skin sheen and hair."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नासोन्नतं → नासा + उन्नतम्; स्निग्धास्त्वक्केशदन्ताश् → स्निग्धाः + त्वक् + केशदन्ताः; दृष्टिर्नखाश् → दृष्टिः + नखाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Samudrika/Lakshana continuation)
FAQs
It imparts lakṣaṇa-vidyā: the technical examination of bodily features (chest, nose, skin, hair, teeth, gaze, voice, etc.) used to assess constitution and auspicious/inauspicious indications.
Beyond theology, it catalogs applied diagnostic/observational knowledge—physiognomic markers—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical sciences allied to Ayurveda and traditional character assessment.
By teaching discernment of bodily signs, it supports dharmic decision-making (choosing suitable persons/paths) and encourages mindful self-cultivation, aligning outward conduct with inner purity and merit.