Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 41
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
गरलं माहिषं शृङ्गं त्रपुसीसकपिच्चटं हिण्डीरो ऽब्धिकफः फेणो मधूच्छिष्टन्तु सिक्थकम्
garalaṃ māhiṣaṃ śṛṅgaṃ trapusīsakapiccaṭaṃ hiṇḍīro 'bdhikaphaḥ pheṇo madhūcchiṣṭantu sikthakam
السُّمُّ يُسمّى «garala»؛ وقرن الجاموس يُدعى «māhiṣa-śṛṅga»؛ والقصدير «trapu»؛ والرصاص «sīsaka»؛ ومادّةٌ معدنيّة/ترابيّة مخصوصة تُسمّى «piccaṭa»؛ وزَبَدُ البحر «hiṇḍīra» ويُقال له أيضًا «abdhikapha» أو «pheṇa»؛ وأمّا شمعُ النحل فهو بقايا العسل «madhūcchiṣṭa»، أي «sikthaka».
Lord Agni (traditional narration to Vasiṣṭha in Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Standardizing synonyms of mineral/animal-origin substances for safe identification in formulations, trade, and pharmacy work (dravya-nirṇaya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Synonyms of poisons, metals, sea-foam, and beeswax","lookup_keywords":["garala","trapu","sīsaka","hiṇḍīra","sikthaka"],"quick_summary":"Gives technical names/synonyms for key dravyas (poison, buffalo horn, tin, lead, sea-foam, beeswax) to prevent confusion in compounding and materia-medica handling."}
Concept: Correct naming (saṃjñā) and identification as the basis of right practice (yukti) in applied sciences.
Application: Maintain a glossary for pharmacists/vaidya assistants so procurement and substitution errors are minimized.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravya-guna / Rasashastra-style materia medica lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy scene: labeled jars of tin and lead, a buffalo horn, sea-foam collected in a bowl, and beeswax cakes; a scribe writes synonym lists on palm-leaf.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural palette, flat iconic figures: a vaidya and assistant in a pharmacy room, palm-leaf manuscript showing words garala, trapu, sīsaka, hiṇḍīra, sikthaka; bowls of sea-foam and beeswax, stylized buffalo horn; warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents: central seated vaidya holding palm-leaf glossary; ornate jars labeled trapu and sīsaka; beeswax cakes and sea-foam bowl; rich red background, decorative borders, subtle gold highlights on metal vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework: instructional tableau of dravya identification—buffalo horn, tin/lead granules, sea-foam, beeswax—each with neat Devanagari labels; calm indoor pharmacy setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: apothecary workshop with shelves of labeled containers, a scholar annotating synonyms; realistic rendering of horn, wax, and mineral samples; delicate floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ’bdhikaphaḥ = अब्धिकफः (अ + bdhi-); madhūcchiṣṭantu = मधूच्छिष्टम् + तु (म् + तु → न्तु by sandhi/assimilation in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (Ayurveda/dravya lists continuing verses 365.42+)
FAQs
Ayurvedic/technical vocabulary: it supplies synonym-equivalences for substances (poison, metals like tin/lead, sea-foam, beeswax) used in formulations, processing, and reference in medical or artisanal contexts.
Rather than narrative theology, it functions like a nighaṇṭu (glossary), cataloging practical terms for drugs/metals and materials—showing the Purana’s compendium style across medicine, minerals, and applied knowledge.
Indirectly, correct identification and naming of substances supports proper, non-harmful practice in remedies and procedures; accurate knowledge (vidyā) is treated as a dharmic aid to right action and avoidance of misuse (e.g., poison or metals).