Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 55
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
मोचा रम्भा च कदली भण्टाकी दुष्प्रधर्षिणी स्थिरा ध्रुवा सालपर्णी शृङ्गी तु वृषभो वृषः
mocā rambhā ca kadalī bhaṇṭākī duṣpradharṣiṇī sthirā dhruvā sālaparṇī śṛṅgī tu vṛṣabho vṛṣaḥ
موتشا، ورَمْبها، وكَدَلي، وبَهَنْطاكِي، ودُشْبْرَدْهَرْشِنِي، وسْثِرَا، وذْرُوفَا، وسَالَپَرْنِي، وشْرِنْگِي—هذه أيضًا أسماء مترادفة؛ وكذلك تُسمّى فْرِشَبْهَا وفْرِشَا.
Lord Agni (narrating the encyclopedic medicinal nomenclature to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Supports correct dravya selection by listing alternate names used for a single medicinal plant/drug across regions and texts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mocā/Rambhā/Kadalī etc.—Synonym Cluster; Vṛṣabha/Vṛṣa","lookup_keywords":["Mocā","Rambhā","Kadalī","Sālaparṇī","Vṛṣabha"],"quick_summary":"Provides a chain of synonymous names used in materia medica; also notes the paired synonyms Vṛṣabha and Vṛṣa, aiding cross-text identification."}
Concept: Pramāṇa in applied science: naming conventions are standardized through authoritative lists.
Application: Reduces ambiguity in pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) and trade nomenclature.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravyaguṇa / Nighaṇṭu-style Materia Medica: medicinal plants and synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A herb-market scene where merchants display plant parts; a vaidya points to a bundle and reads out a chain of synonyms from a palm-leaf, ensuring the correct item is purchased under varying names.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bazaar-forest hybrid setting, stylized figures, the vaidya reciting synonym chain, herb bundles arranged in rows, muted ochres and greens, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central figure with manuscript, gold detailing on weighing scale and containers, richly decorated shopfront, labeled herb jars with synonym names.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: a chart-like display of synonym names around a single illustrated plant/drug, fine brushwork, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling apothecary with jars and bundles, scholar verifying names Mocā/Rambhā/Kadalī etc., intricate textiles and architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; list of synonyms/plant-names in nominative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (continuing nighaṇṭu-style synonym catalog)
FAQs
Ayurvedic Dravyaguṇa knowledge: the verse provides a synonym-list (nāma-paryāya) used to identify a medicinal plant across different regional and textual naming traditions.
It functions like a compact nighaṇṭu entry—cataloguing multiple names for the same drug/plant—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical sciences such as Ayurveda alongside ritual, theology, and polity.
By enabling correct identification and use of medicinal substances, the instruction supports dharmic care of the body and service to others—an applied form of merit (puṇya) through healing and preservation of life.