Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
समुद्र उवाच पुंसाञ्च लक्षणं वक्ष्ये स्त्रीणाञ्चैव शुभाशुभं एकाधिको द्विशुक्रश् च त्रिगन्भीरस्तथैव च
samudra uvāca puṃsāñca lakṣaṇaṃ vakṣye strīṇāñcaiva śubhāśubhaṃ ekādhiko dviśukraś ca triganbhīrastathaiva ca
萨穆德罗说：“我将宣说男子之身相，亦复宣说女子之身相，具吉与凶。其分类中有‘多一者’、‘二精者’，以及‘三重深者’等。”
Samudra
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Physiognomic classification for judging auspiciousness/inauspiciousness in matchmaking, selection of attendants, and omen-based decision-making.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Samudrika: Śubhāśubha-lakṣaṇa-vibhāga (male/female) and type-names","lookup_keywords":["samudrika","shubhashubha-lakshana","pum-lakshana","stri-lakshana","ekadhika"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the scope of samudrika—auspicious and inauspicious bodily marks for men and women—and begins with technical type-labels used for classification."}
Concept: Human body as a readable text of signs (nimitta) yielding śubha/āśubha indications.
Application: Use standardized categories to avoid purely subjective judgment in social/royal decisions.
Khanda Section: Samudrika-shastra (Physiognomy & Omens of Human Marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sage Samudra speaking as a teacher, presenting a scroll/tablet listing categories of bodily marks for men and women, with headings ‘śubha’ and ‘aśubha’ and technical type-names like ekādhika, dviśukra, trigambhīra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: seated rishi Samudra with stylized water motifs behind him; attendants holding palm-leaf lists split into auspicious/inauspicious columns; bold outlines and flat color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Samudra as luminous guru with gold halo; ornate manuscript stand displaying two panels labeled śubha/aśubha; rich decorative borders and gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene with Samudra pointing to a neatly ruled chart of classifications; fine linework, soft washes, emphasis on legible headings and orderly taxonomy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with Samudra dictating to scribes; a folio page visible with rubricated headings and category names; naturalistic faces, detailed textiles, quiet indoor setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samudra uvāca = samudraḥ uvāca (visarga sandhi); puṃsāñca = puṃsām ca; strīṇāñcaiva = strīṇām ca eva; dviśukraś = dviśukraḥ; triganbhīras = tri-gambhīraḥ (spelling normalized).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puruṣa-lakṣaṇa and Strī-lakṣaṇa subsections within this adhyāya and following
FAQs
It introduces Samudrika-śāstra: a technical system for reading auspicious and inauspicious bodily marks of men and women, including named constitutional/typological categories.
By cataloging a specialized applied-knowledge tradition (physiognomy/omenology) alongside other disciplines, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium that preserves diverse shastric taxonomies used in social and predictive contexts.
It frames bodily characteristics as indicators of शुभ/अशुभ (fortunate/unfortunate) outcomes, encouraging discernment about destiny and conduct through traditional signs rather than prescribing a direct ritual act.