Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
पलाशं छदनं पर्णमिध्ममेधः समित् स्त्रियां बोधिद्रुमश् चलदलो दधित्थग्राहिमन्मथाः
palāśaṃ chadanaṃ parṇamidhmamedhaḥ samit striyāṃ bodhidrumaś caladalo dadhitthagrāhimanmathāḥ
وشجرة «بالاشا» (Palāśa) تُسمّى أيضًا: Chādana وParṇa وIdhma وMedha وSamit وStriyām وBodhidruma وCaladala وDadhittha وGrāhi وManmatha.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Dravyaguṇa identification: mapping multiple synonyms of Palāśa for accurate procurement, prescription, and avoidance of substitution errors across regions and textual traditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Palāśa-nighaṇṭu: Synonym set for Palāśa (Butea monosperma)","lookup_keywords":["palāśa","butea monosperma","nighaṇṭu","parṇa","idhma"],"quick_summary":"Provides a compact synonym-list for Palāśa, enabling cross-text and regional name reconciliation in materia medica and ritual/utility contexts (fuel, samit, etc.)."}
Concept: Śabda-jñāna as a tool of correct practice: many names, one dravya—knowledge prevents error.
Application: Use synonym-lists as a verification protocol in trade, pharmacy, and teaching (guru-to-śiṣya transmission).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Dravyaguna-nighaṇṭu (Materia Medica and plant-synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm-leaf manuscript page lists Palāśa and its many synonyms; beside it, the Palāśa tree with broad leaves and flame-colored blossoms; a vaidya points to the entries while an apprentice holds samples.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized Palāśa with red-orange blooms, a vaidya-teacher indicating a palm-leaf text showing synonym columns (Palāśa/Parṇa/Idhma/Samit), traditional interior setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on blossoms and manuscript borders, central Palāśa tree, seated vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, ornate frame, devotional-yet-scholarly mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat calligraphic labels near the tree (Chādana, Parṇa, Idhma, Medha), teacher-student instructional scene, soft colors and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with botanical realism of Butea monosperma, margins filled with nastaʿlīq-like decorative script blocks representing synonyms, scholar and student in a garden pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bodhidrumaś = bodhi-drumaḥ (visarga before c); parṇamidhmamedhaḥ read as parṇam + idhmamedhaḥ; dadhitthagrāhimanmathāḥ = dadhittha-grāhi-manmathāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362.16-18 (continued synonymy lists); Agni Purana Ayurveda/Dravyaguṇa sections (nighaṇṭu-style entries)
FAQs
It provides a nighaṇṭu-style list of synonym-names for Palāśa, including ritual-technical terms like samit and idhma, aiding correct identification for Ayurveda and yajña fuel-wood usage.
By cataloging multiple lexical and functional names of a single plant, it acts like a technical glossary—bridging pharmacology (dravyaguṇa) and ritual practice (samit/idhma)—a hallmark of the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style.
Accurate identification of samit/idhma supports proper performance of fire-rituals; correctness in ritual materials is traditionally linked with purity of rite and the intended merit (puṇya) of offerings.