Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
धन्यस्य मधुरा वाणी गतिर्मत्तेभसन्निभा एककूपभवं रोम भये रक्षा सकृत् सकृत्
dhanyasya madhurā vāṇī gatirmattebhasannibhā ekakūpabhavaṃ roma bhaye rakṣā sakṛt sakṛt
对有福之人而言，言语甘美；其步态如醉象。若仅从一孔生出一根毫毛，亦能在恐惧之时成为护佑——一次又一次。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Sāmudrika/physiognomic reading for assessing auspiciousness and character through speech, gait, and bodily marks; used in social decision-making (marriage, counsel, patronage).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Puruṣa-śubha-lakṣaṇa: madhura-vāṇī, mattagaja-gati, ekakūpa-romā","lookup_keywords":["puruṣa-lakṣaṇa","madhura-vāṇī","mattagaja-gati","ekakūpa-romā","bhaya-rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Sweet speech and elephant-like gait are stated as auspicious male markers. A rare hair arising singly from one pore is treated as a protective omen in fearful situations."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Śubha-aśubha-nimitta: external signs are read as indicators of fortune and protection.
Application: Applied as a conventional diagnostic of social auspiciousness; encourages cultivation of pleasant speech as a valued trait.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kāvya-śāstra) – Lakṣaṇa (omens/physiognomy) and descriptive markers
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An auspicious man speaking gently, walking with a slow, swaying elephant-like gait; a close-up motif of a single hair emerging from one pore as an omen of protection during fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, warm earthy palette, auspicious man with serene face and sweet speech gesture (abhaya-like hand), subtle depiction of elephant-gait posture, symbolic single hair mark highlighted, temple-mural flat shading, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure of a noble man with sweet expression, gold-leaf halo-like ornamentation, stylized elephant motif behind indicating gait, small inset showing single hair from pore as protective omen, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional panel layout: (1) sweet speech, (2) elephant-like gait, (3) single-pore hair omen; soft colors, minimal background, caption-like cartouches.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly gentleman walking in garden, attendants observing his gait, fine detailing of face and textiles; tiny marginal vignette of the single hair omen; naturalistic palette and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मत्तेभसन्निभा = मत्तेभ-सन्निभा; एककूपभवं = एक-कूप-भवम्. श्लोके क्रिया (अस्ति/भवति) लुप्ता (elliptical) मानी।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Puruṣa-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana 243 (Strī-lakṣaṇa continuation)
FAQs
It conveys lakṣaṇa-vidyā (physiognomic/omen science): sweet speech and a majestic, steady gait are auspicious traits, and an unusual hair-sign (a single hair arising from one pore) is treated as a repeated protective indication during danger.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves pragmatic cultural sciences like śakuna/lakṣaṇa—systems for reading character and fate through bodily marks—showing its wide-ranging, compendium-style scope.
Auspicious bodily and behavioral signs are framed as results of prior merit (puṇya); recognizing them reinforces the idea that virtuous conduct and accumulated karma manifest as protective fortune in times of fear.