Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Kalpasāgara (Ocean of Formulations) — Mṛtyuñjaya Preparations and Rasāyana Regimens
पलङ्कुष्माण्डिकाचूर्णं मध्वाज्यपयसा पिवन् मासं दुग्धान्नभोजी च सहस्रायुर्विरोगवान्
palaṅkuṣmāṇḍikācūrṇaṃ madhvājyapayasā pivan māsaṃ dugdhānnabhojī ca sahasrāyurvirogavān
مَن شرب مدة شهر مسحوق «بالا» و«كُشمانديكا» ممزوجًا بالعسل والسمن المصفّى (ghee) واللبن، والتزم طعام اللبن مع الأرز، صار خاليًا من المرض ونال عمرًا قدره ألف سنة.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Month-long rasāyana using pala and kuṣmāṇḍikā powder with honey, ghee, and milk, supported by milk-rice diet for convalescence and vitality-building.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pala–Kuṣmāṇḍikā Cūrṇa Rasāyana (Madhu–Ghṛta–Kṣīra Anupāna)","lookup_keywords":["Kuṣmāṇḍikā","Cūrṇa","Madhu","Ghṛta","Kṣīra-anna"],"quick_summary":"A one-month course of pala and kuṣmāṇḍikā powder taken with honey, ghee, and milk, with milk-rice as diet, is stated to remove disease and promote extraordinary longevity."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Kāla-niyama (fixed duration) and pathya as integral parts of therapeutic success.
Application: Design rasāyana as a timed protocol (one month) with specified anupāna and diet, not as sporadic intake.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasayana / longevity and disease-prevention remedies)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Preparation of a fine herbal powder (cūrṇa) mixed into milk with honey and ghee; a calendar-like indication of a month-long regimen; patient taking the drink and eating milk-rice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized mortar and pestle grinding herbs, white milk pot, golden honey, ghee lamp glow, patient seated cross-legged with bowl of milk-rice, clear month-cycle motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on vessels, central cup of milk with honey-ghee swirl, herbs in small trays, patient receiving rasāyana, ornate border and halo-like emphasis on the remedy","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat instructional layout: ingredients arranged, stepwise mixing into milk, patient diet of milk-rice shown, soft pastel palette and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary scene with labeled jars, physician measuring powder, honey and ghee poured into milk, patient sipping, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मध्वाज्यपयसा = मधु + आज्य + पयसा (स्वर-सन्धि/समासवत् प्रयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 285 (rasayana formulations continuing before/after this verse)
FAQs
Ayurvedic rasāyana practice: a month-long intake of a specific herbal/vegetable powder (pala + kuṣmāṇḍikā) taken as a tonic with honey, ghee, and milk, alongside a restricted nourishing diet (milk-rice).
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving applied health science (Ayurveda), including formulations, adjuvants (honey/ghee/milk), duration (one month), and dietary regimen as part of practical knowledge.
Rasāyana instructions are framed as dharmic life-supporting disciplines: sustaining the body for longevity and health, thereby enabling prolonged performance of religious duties (dharma), vows, and worship—hence the emphasis on freedom from disease and extended lifespan.