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
سینہ، بغلیں، ناخن، بلند (خوش ساختہ) ناک، چہرہ اور گردن کا پچھلا حصہ؛ نیز ہموار جلد، بال اور دانت؛ جسم کے بال، نگاہ، ناخن اور آواز—یہ سب علامات کے طور پر جانچے جاتے ہیں۔
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.