Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 41
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
त्वक्पथ्ययोः समावंशौ शशिभागार्धसंयुतौ नागवल्लीसमो भाति मुखवासो मनोहरः
tvakpathyayoḥ samāvaṃśau śaśibhāgārdhasaṃyutau nāgavallīsamo bhāti mukhavāso manoharaḥ
بأخذ مقدارين متساويين من قشر القرفة و«هاريتاكي»، وضمّ نصف مقدار من الكافور، يتكوّن عطرٌ لطيفٌ للفم؛ ويظهر أثره كأوراق التنبول في إكساب الرائحة الزكية.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Preparation of a mouth-fragrance (mukhavāsa) for oral deodorizing and pleasant breath using specified proportions of aromatic drugs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Mukhavāsa (mouth-perfume) with tvak–pathyā–karpūra","lookup_keywords":["mukhavāsa","tvak (cinnamon bark)","pathyā (harītakī)","karpūra (camphor)","mukha-gandha"],"quick_summary":"Equal parts cinnamon-bark and harītakī with half-part camphor are compounded as a mouth-perfume to produce betel-like pleasant breath and mouth fragrance."}
Dosha: Kapha
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile)
Concept: Health and social refinement through regulated sensory practices (gandha) and hygienic formulations.
Application: Household/royal daily regimen: oral care and breath-freshening as part of personal conduct and public etiquette.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana & Chikitsa: oral care, breath/mouth fragrance formulations)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic physician/apothecary measures cinnamon bark and harītakī in equal portions, adds half-portion camphor, and prepares a small aromatic mouth-perfume; a betel leaf is shown as the comparison for fragrance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette with bold outlines; an Ayurvedic vaidya in traditional attire grinding tvak and harītakī on a stone slab, adding white camphor crystals; betel leaf motif in the border; calm domestic dispensary setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; ornate tray holding cinnamon bark, harītakī fruits, and camphor; a noble person receiving a small mukhavāsa pellet; rich textiles and gilded decorative arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate lines and soft shading; instructional composition showing labeled ingredients and proportional measures (equal parts + half part), mortar and pestle, and a small container for mukhavāsa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detail; courtly apothecary preparing aromatic powder, precise weighing on a balance; attendants with betel leaves; architectural interior with patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Gandhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāgavallīsamo = nāgavallī-samaḥ; mukhavāso = mukha-vāsaḥ; śaśibhāgārdhasaṃyutau treated as tatpuruṣa compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (mukha-roga, danta-dhavana, gandha-yoga sections)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic mukhavāsa (mouth-perfume) recipe: equal parts cinnamon bark and harītakī, with half-part camphor, to create a betel-like pleasant mouth fragrance.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical Ayurveda—here, a precise household formulation for oral deodorizing and pleasant breath, showing its wide-ranging applied knowledge.
Maintaining bodily cleanliness and pleasant speech-related purity (mouth/breath) supports sāttvika conduct and fitness for recitation, worship, and social interaction—an indirect aid to ritual purity and merit.