Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
उरो ललाटं वक्त्रञ्च त्रिविस्तीर्णो विलेखवान् द्वौ पाणी द्वौ तथा पादौ ध्वजच्छत्रादिभिर्युतौ
uro lalāṭaṃ vaktrañca trivistīrṇo vilekhavān dvau pāṇī dvau tathā pādau dhvajacchatrādibhiryutau
ทรวงอก หน้าผาก และใบหน้า พึงกำหนดให้กว้างสามส่วน พร้อมเส้นมงคลที่ปรากฏชัด; มือทั้งสองและเท้าทั้งสองพึงประกอบด้วยลักษณะมงคล เช่น ธงและฉัตร เป็นต้น۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Pratima-lakshana guidance for sculptors/painters: specifying threefold breadth of chest/forehead/face and auspicious marks on hands/feet for ideal images.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Trivistirna features and auspicious hasta-pada marks (dhvaja, chatra, etc.)","lookup_keywords":["pratima-lakshana","trivistirna","dhvaja-lakshana","chatra-lakshana","hasta-pada-chihna"],"quick_summary":"Ideal images should have proportionally broad chest, forehead, and face with clear auspicious lines; hands and feet bear auspicious emblems like banner and parasol to signify divinity and sovereignty."}
Concept: Form (rupa) and auspicious signs (chihna) are conveyors of sacred meaning; correct lakshana supports darshana and devotional focus.
Application: In commissioning or crafting icons, verify canonical marks to ensure ritual acceptability and intended symbolic messaging (royalty, protection, auspiciousness).
Khanda Section: Pratima-Lakshana & Iconography (Murti-shastra / Vastu-vidya)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor’s workshop: an unfinished idol with broad chest/forehead/face; the artisan sketches dhvaja and chatra symbols on the palms and soles as auspicious marks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-sage instructing apprentices beside a divine figure outline, bold contours, palms/soles showing dhvaja and chatra emblems, temple-lamp ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, frontal deity-like figure with emphasized broad chest and face, palms and feet turned outward showing banner and parasol marks, heavy gold ornamentation and embossed halo.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical iconography sheet: front view with highlighted chest/forehead/face breadth, inset diagrams of palm/sole with dhvaja and chatra, fine brushwork and labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with master draftsman drawing auspicious emblems on a figure’s hands/feet, detailed tools, paper folios, delicate shading, architectural studio backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaktrañca → vaktram ca; trivistīrṇo → tri-vistīrṇaḥ; dhvajacchatrādibhiryutau → dhvaja-chatra-ādibhiḥ yutau.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Pratima-lakshana / iconography cluster)
FAQs
It gives murti-shastra (iconographic) specifications: proportional breadth for the chest/forehead/face and the placement of auspicious emblems (like dhvaja and chatra) on the hands and feet of a sacred image.
By prescribing concrete rules for sacred art and temple-image construction, it shows the text’s coverage beyond mythology—into applied disciplines like Vastu-vidya and iconometry used by sculptors and temple traditions.
Correct proportions and auspicious markings are treated as signs of sanctity and efficacy: they help ensure the image is ritually fit for installation and worship, supporting merit (puṇya) through proper devotion and correct form.