Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 22
Utpāta-śānti
Pacification of Portents
अकालप्रसवा नार्यः कालतो वाप्रजास् तथा विकृतप्रसवाश् चैव युग्मप्रसवनादिकं
akālaprasavā nāryaḥ kālato vāprajās tathā vikṛtaprasavāś caiva yugmaprasavanādikaṃ
قد تلد النساء ولادةً غيرَ أوانها، وقد يكون النسل في أوانه كذلك. وتوجد أيضاً ولاداتٌ شاذة، كولادة التوأم وما شابهها.
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Recognition/classification of childbirth timing and abnormalities (e.g., preterm, term, abnormal including twins) for deciding medical attention and śānti responses.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Garbha-vidyā: Kāla/akāla and Vikṛta-prasava types","lookup_keywords":["garbha-vidyā","akāla-prasava","vikṛta-prasava","yugma-prasava","prasava-bheda"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates categories of delivery: untimely, timely, and abnormal births such as twins. It functions as a diagnostic classification that can trigger appropriate care and/or expiatory rites in the broader śānti framework."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Observation-based categorization (bheda) of physiological events is necessary for right action (yathā-yogya pravṛtti) in care and ritual response.
Application: Use classification to decide urgency, resources, and protective rites for mother and newborn.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Garbha-vidya (Obstetrics and gynecology; classification of abnormal childbirth)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene showing three panels: untimely labor, timely birth, and abnormal birth (twins), with attendants supporting the mother and a learned physician/priest noting classifications.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative triptych: pregnant woman attended by midwives, a vaidya-priest holding palm-leaf notes, symbolic depiction of twins, warm earthy palette, emphasis on protective domestic sanctity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central mother-and-infants motif with gold highlights, attendants and a physician figure, ornamental framing indicating ‘garbha-vidyā’ knowledge, auspicious lamps and protective symbols.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like composition with labeled scenes (akāla/kāla/vikṛta/yugma), fine lines, calm domestic interior, emphasis on teaching rather than drama.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate zenana interior with midwives, physician observing, careful rendering of textiles and expressions, subtle separation of scenarios, documentary feel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani (Yaman)","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वा + प्रजाः → वाप्रजाः; विकृतप्रसवाः + च → विकृतप्रसवाश् च; च + एव → चैव; युग्मप्रसवनादिकम् → युग्मप्रसव + न + आदिकम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Garbha-vidyā / strī-roga-prasūti topics in the same chapter cluster (262) and nearby āyurveda sections
FAQs
Ayurvedic Garbha-vidya: it classifies delivery outcomes—premature (akāla), timely (kālataḥ), and abnormal deliveries (vikṛta) such as twin birth—forming a diagnostic framework for obstetric discussion.
It demonstrates the Purana’s medical-technical scope by presenting a systematic taxonomy of childbirth conditions, aligning the text with practical Ayurveda topics alongside its ritual, cosmological, and dharma materials.
By treating childbirth outcomes as knowable categories rather than mere fate, the verse supports a dharmic ideal of responsible care (seva) and informed conduct, where proper knowledge aids protection of mother and child and reduces harm.