Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
व्याप्नोति यस्त्रिकव्यापी त्रिबलीमान्नरस्त्वसौ उदरे बलयस्तिस्रो नरन्त्रिविनतं शृणु
vyāpnoti yastrikavyāpī tribalīmānnarastvasau udare balayastisro narantrivinataṃ śṛṇu
凡其躯干三处横广遍满，且具三道分明褶纹之人，即为此类；今当听说其腹部现三重皱褶、具三层体相之人。
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Samudrika-style assessment of bodily marks for character/fortune reading and selection of suitable persons for roles (householder, ministerial, ritual patron).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Trikavyapti and Tribali (Threefold breadth and three abdominal folds)","lookup_keywords":["trikavyapi","tribali","udara-bali","purusha-lakshana","samudrika"],"quick_summary":"A man whose torso is broad in three key regions and whose abdomen shows three distinct folds is classified under an auspicious physiognomic type; the verse defines the identifying marks."}
Concept: Lakshana (external marks) are treated as readable indicators for typology and prognosis in worldly life.
Application: Use as a checklist in samudrika reading; avoid overreliance by corroborating with conduct (sadachara) and context.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-shastra / Purusha-lakshana (Physiognomy and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated figure with a broad torso; the abdomen is shown with three clear horizontal creases, as a demonstrative physiognomy diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, a calm male figure in frontal pose, torso emphasized with three abdominal folds marked by fine lines, minimal background, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, iconic standing male figure with stylized broad chest and waist, three abdominal creases rendered with delicate linework, gold-leaf halo-like framing, rich textile borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional physiognomy plate, clean outlines, labeled three torso regions and three abdominal folds, muted palette with fine shading, manuscript-like margins.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier scene where a scholar points to an illustrated folio of a man’s torso showing three folds, detailed textiles, precise linework, pale background wash."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yastrikavyāpī → yaḥ trika-vyāpī; tribalīmān → tri-balī-mān; narastvasau → naraḥ tu asau; balayastisro → balayaḥ tisraḥ; narantrivinataṃ → nara-antara-vinataṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Purusha-lakshana / Samudrika-shastra context)
FAQs
This verse imparts Samudrika-śāstra knowledge: identifying a man by specific bodily markers—especially the presence of three distinct folds/creases (tri-balī) across the trunk/abdomen.
By preserving a technical catalogue of physiognomic indicators (purusha-lakṣaṇa), the Agni Purana extends beyond ritual into applied traditional sciences used for assessment of character, fortune, and social suitability.
In Purāṇic thought, auspicious bodily marks are treated as outward signs of accumulated merit (puṇya) and favorable destiny, guiding ethical and practical choices in household and royal life.