Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 53
मृतसञ्जीवनीकरसिद्धयोगः (Mṛtasañjīvanī-kara Siddha-yogaḥ) — Perfected Formulations for Revivification and Disease-Conquest
गण्डमालापहं तैलमभ्यङ्गात् गलगण्डनुत् शटीकुनागबलयक्वाथः क्षीररसे युतम्
gaṇḍamālāpahaṃ tailamabhyaṅgāt galagaṇḍanut śaṭīkunāgabalayakvāthaḥ kṣīrarase yutam
الزيتُ الذي يزيل gandamālā (تورّمات الغدد/الخُنازير) يُستعمل بالدَّلك؛ وهو يُخفّف galagaṇḍa (تضخّم الغدّة الدرقية/الدُّراق). ويُستعمل مغليّ śaṭī وkunāga وbala ممزوجًا بخلاصة اللبن (milk-essence) بوصفه تحضيرًا أو مُعينًا.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Therapy for glandular swellings (gaṇḍamālā) and goitre (galagaṇḍa) using medicated oil massage and a milk-based decoction adjunct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaṇḍamālāpaha Abhyaṅga Taila and Śaṭī–Kunāga–Balā Kṣīra-yukta Kvātha","lookup_keywords":["gandamala","galaganda","taila-abhyanga","shati","bala-kshira"],"quick_summary":"A medicated oil applied by massage is stated to remove scrofula and relieve goitre; additionally, a decoction of śaṭī, kunāga, and balā combined with milk-essence is prescribed as a supportive preparation."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Snehana (oleation) as a therapeutic modality; combining bṛṃhaṇa (nourishing milk adjunct) with kapha-targeting herbs for neck swellings.
Application: Use touch-based therapy (massage with medicated oil) alongside internal/adjunct preparations to address chronic glandular conditions.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Bhaisajya-kalpa: medicinal oils and decoctions)
Primary Rasa: Samanya
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A patient with neck swelling receives gentle oil massage from a vaidya; nearby, a pot of decoction simmering with śaṭī, kunāga, and balā, and a bowl of milk-essence ready to be mixed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized neck-therapy scene with abhyaṅga; warm tones; medicinal plants arranged decoratively; calm, compassionate clinic setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; central massage scene with gold-highlighted oil vessel; rich textiles; side vignette of decoction pot and milk bowl; ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clear instructional depiction of applying taila to neck region; inset showing preparation of kvātha and mixing with kṣīra-rasa; fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; physician applying oil to patient’s neck; attendants preparing herbal decoction; detailed botanical rendering of śaṭī and balā; refined interior architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṇḍamālāpahaṃ = gaṇḍamālā-apaham; tailamabhyaṅgāt = tailam abhyaṅgāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 284 (śotha/gaṇḍa/galagaṇḍa and taila-kalpanā context)
FAQs
Ayurvedic therapeutics: it prescribes medicated oil application via abhyanga (massage) for gaṇḍamālā (scrofula) and galagaṇḍa (goitre), and indicates a specific herbal decoction (śaṭī–kunāga–bala) to be combined with milk-extract.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving practical Ayurvedic pharmacy (kvātha preparation, anupāna/vehicle like milk, and external therapy through oil massage) alongside other sciences.
While primarily medical, such Purāṇic prescriptions are traditionally treated as dharmic welfare-knowledge (hitopadeśa): preserving health supports one’s capacity for daily duties, ritual practice, and disciplined living.