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
کہا گیا ہے کہ آنکھوں میں تارکا (پُتلی) نہیں؛ دانت منی کی مانند سفید؛ دوہری سفیدی؛ آواز گہری؛ ناف میں تین تہیں/گردشیں؛ اور سَتْو کو ایک کہا گیا ہے، جبکہ تْرِک کو تین گنا یاد کیا گیا ہے۔
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.