Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 21
Chapter 279 — सिद्धौषधानि (Siddhauṣadhāni, “Perfected Medicines”) — Colophon/Closure
वीर्योष्णाः कफवातघ्नाः शीताः पित्तविनाशनाः प्रभावतस् तथा कर्म ते कुर्वन्ति च सुश्रुत
vīryoṣṇāḥ kaphavātaghnāḥ śītāḥ pittavināśanāḥ prabhāvatas tathā karma te kurvanti ca suśruta
المواد ذات القوّة الحارّة (uṣṇa-vīrya) تُسكّن الكافا والفاتا؛ وذات القوّة الباردة (śīta-vīrya) تُبيد البيتّا. وبقوّتها الخاصّة (prabhāva) تؤدّي أيضًا أفعالها المعيّنة، يا سوشروتا.
Lord Agni (teaching in an Ayurvedic register; addressing 'Suśruta' as authoritative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apply Rasapañcaka logic: choose uṣṇa-vīrya drugs for Kapha/Vāta, śīta-vīrya for Pitta; recognize prabhāva as specific action beyond general rules.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vīrya (uṣṇa/śīta) and prabhāva in doṣa-pacification","lookup_keywords":["uṣṇa vīrya","śīta vīrya","prabhāva","kaphavātaghna","pittavināśana"],"quick_summary":"Hot potency alleviates Kapha and Vāta; cold potency alleviates Pitta. Some actions occur by prabhāva—specific potency not reducible to rasa/vipāka/guṇa alone."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Multiple explanatory principles (vīrya and prabhāva) are needed for accurate causation in therapeutics.
Application: When formulating or selecting a drug, prioritize vīrya for doṣa targeting; reserve prabhāva to explain and utilize special-case actions (e.g., unique organ tropism).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravyaguna & Rasapanchaka: vīrya–uṣṇa/śīta effects; doṣa-pacification)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two medicine jars labeled uṣṇa-vīrya and śīta-vīrya with arrows to Kapha/Vāta down and Pitta down respectively; a third emblem ‘prabhāva’ shown as a unique sigil indicating special action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-panel composition: warming herbs with flame motif reducing Kapha/Vāta figures, cooling herbs with moon/water motif reducing Pitta flame, central prabhāva symbol as a radiant yantra-like seal; Sanskrit labels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed jars and icons: sun (uṣṇa) and moon (śīta), doṣa figures receiving calming gestures, prabhāva shown as a jeweled medallion; rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic layout with labeled jars, arrows, and a small vignette of a physician noting ‘prabhāva’ in a ledger; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dispensary scene with hakim presenting hot and cold potency drugs; a marginal emblem for prabhāva indicating special efficacy; intricate textiles and calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वीर्योष्णाः→वीर्य उष्णाः; प्रभावतस्→प्रभावतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279.20 (vipāka); Agni Purana Ayurveda-khaṇḍa sections on dravya-guṇa and rasapañcaka
FAQs
Ayurvedic dravyaguṇa knowledge: classification of substances by potency (vīrya)—hot potency reduces kapha and vāta, cold potency reduces pitta—and recognition of prabhāva (specific potency) as a distinct determinant of therapeutic action.
It demonstrates the Purana’s inclusion of formal Ayurvedic theory (doṣa physiology and pharmacodynamics via vīrya and prabhāva), showing that the Agni Purana functions as a compendium spanning medicine alongside ritual, polity, and arts.
By prescribing discernment in healing through correct understanding of doṣa-balancing properties, the verse supports dharmic care of the body as a vessel for sādhanā; right therapeutic action (yukta-kriyā) is framed as a meritorious, harm-avoiding discipline.