Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 32
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
खड्गामिषं महाशल्कं मधुयुक्तान्नमेव च लोहामिषं कालशाकं मांसं वार्धीनसस्य च
khaḍgāmiṣaṃ mahāśalkaṃ madhuyuktānnameva ca lohāmiṣaṃ kālaśākaṃ māṃsaṃ vārdhīnasasya ca
لحم وحيد القرن؛ والسمك العظيم ذو القشور؛ وأطعمة الأرز الممزوجة بالعسل؛ ولحم الحيوان ذي اللحم الأحمر (من نوع rohita)؛ والخضرة الورقية الداكنة المسماة kāla-śāka؛ وكذلك لحم الكائن المائي المسمى vārdhīnasa—فهذه تُعدَّد هنا كأصناف غذائية مخصوصة.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, continuing the encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cataloging specific food items (meats, fish, greens, honey-mixed preparations) for dietary decision-making in pathya/apathya or ritual-allowed contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Āhāra-dravya-nirdeśa: khadga-māṁsa, mahāśalka, madhu-yukta anna, lohāmīṣa, kāla-śāka, vārdhīnasa","lookup_keywords":["khadga māṁsa","mahāśalka fish","madhu-yukta anna","kāla-śāka","vārdhīnasa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates particular edible items—certain meats, a large scaly fish, honey-mixed preparations, a dark leafy green, and an aquatic creature—serving as a reference list for diet classification."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Systematic naming of dravyas (substances) is foundational for applied knowledge—diet, ritual, and household management.
Application: Use precise identification of foods before prescribing/consuming; avoid substituting unknown species under the same name without local expert verification.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Ahara-vidhi / Pathya-Apathya: dietary listings of meats, vegetables, and preparations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A labeled display of foods: rhinoceros (symbolic), a large scaly fish, a bowl of honey-mixed rice, a red-fleshed fish/meat item, a bundle of dark leafy greens (kāla-śāka), and an aquatic creature labeled vārdhīnasa—arranged like an Ayurvedic materia list.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized natural forms: rhino silhouette, large fish with scales emphasized, brass bowl of anna with honey sheen, dark leafy greens, aquatic creature, each with traditional label cartouches, earthy pigments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-outlined food vessels, honey bowl gleaming with gold leaf, decorative borders with fish-scale patterns, central arrangement like a sacred offering-catalog","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate: each item drawn separately with fine shading and clear labels, arranged as an Ayurvedic dravya chart","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, natural-history still life with meticulous textures (scales, leaves), small calligraphic labels, subdued background wash"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मधुयुक्तान्नम् = मधु-युक्त-अन्नम्; खड्गामिषम् = खड्ग-अमिषम्; लोहामिषम् = लोह-अमिषम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (āhāra-vidhi/pathya-apathya listings)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dietetics (āhāra-vidhi): the verse catalogs specific meats, fish, and vegetables as classified food items within a pathya/apathya-style discussion.
It shows the text functioning as a compendium beyond theology—preserving practical Ayurvedic nutrition lists (animal foods, greens, and preparations like honey-mixed dishes) alongside other sciences.
By regulating food choices through scriptural-Ayurvedic guidance, the practitioner supports bodily purity and balanced conduct, which traditional dharma literature treats as conducive to sāttvika living and steadier religious practice.