Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 31
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
मुस्ताभ्यासस् तथा लेपश्चित्रकेण हरिद्रया यवान्नविकृतिः शालिर्वास्तूकं ससुवर्चलम्
mustābhyāsas tathā lepaścitrakeṇa haridrayā yavānnavikṛtiḥ śālirvāstūkaṃ sasuvarcalam
يُستحب المواظبة على دهن mustā (السعد) وكذلك استعمال لِطاخٍ موضعي مُعَدٍّ من citraka والكركم؛ وتناول مُحضَّر من طعام الشعير؛ واستعمال أرزّ śāli وخُضَر vāstūka مع suvarcalā—فهذه كلّها تُذكر كإجراءات وعلاجات نافعة.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"External lepa and internal diet regulation using mustā, citraka, haridrā, barley preparations, śāli rice and greens with salt for symptom control and digestive correction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mustā Abhyāsa & Citraka-Haridrā Lepa with Pathya Diet","lookup_keywords":["mustā","citraka","haridrā","lepa","vāstūka"],"quick_summary":"Combine topical therapy (mustā regimen; citraka–turmeric paste) with light grains and greens to support digestion and reduce local inflammation/swelling."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Yukti (rational combination) of bahir-parimarjana (external) and āhāra (internal) measures.
Application: Pair topical anti-inflammatory/digestive pastes with compatible diet to prevent recurrence and support agni.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies and herbal formulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Preparation of an herbal paste: citraka and turmeric ground on a stone slab; mustā kept in a small pouch; alongside bowls of barley food, śāli rice, and vāstūka greens with black salt.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, herbal pharmacy corner with grinding stone, yellow turmeric heap, dark citraka roots, mustā tubers, physician applying lepa to a patient, stylized vessels and patterned floor.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, close-up of herbal grinding with gold accents on mortar and bowls, vivid turmeric yellow, physician demonstrating lepa application, decorative border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional composition: ingredients labeled, grinding action, finished lepa in a leaf-bowl, diet items arranged to the side, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like apothecary scene with meticulous botanical detail of mustā and citraka, attendants grinding paste, physician supervising, fine calligraphic labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लेपश्चित्रकेण = लेपः + चित्रकेण; शालिर्वास्तूकं = शालिः + वास्तूकम्; ससुवर्चलम् = स + सुवर्चलम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 278 (lepa, pathya, dravya lists in chikitsā-prakaraṇa)
FAQs
It imparts Ayurvedic practical knowledge: specific herbs (mustā, citraka, haridrā), a topical lepa (paste), and dietary items (barley preparations, śāli rice, leafy greens) recommended as a therapeutic regimen.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences—here, Ayurveda—by listing concrete ingredients and modes of use (external lepa and internal diet), showing its compendium-like coverage of everyday health disciplines.
By prescribing sāttvika, regulated diet and purificatory herbal measures, the verse aligns bodily well-being with dharmic living—supporting cleanliness, self-discipline, and readiness for ritual and righteous conduct.