Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
कोष्ठजा च शिरा वेध्या तेन तस्य सुखं भवेत् दाऋइमं त्रिफला व्योषं गुडञ्च समभाविकम्
koṣṭhajā ca śirā vedhyā tena tasya sukhaṃ bhavet dāṛimaṃ triphalā vyoṣaṃ guḍañca samabhāvikam
কোষ্ঠজাত ব্যাধিতে শিরা-ভেদন (রক্তমোক্ষণ) করা উচিত; তাতে আরাম হয়। এরপর ডালিম, ত্রিফলা, ব্যোষ (ত্রিকটু) ও গুড়—সমান ভাগে ব্যবহার করতে হবে।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Therapeutics for koṣṭha-origin disorders: perform venesection where indicated and prepare an equal-part formulation of dāḍima, triphalā, tryūṣa/trikaṭu, and guḍa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Koṣṭhaja-vikāra: śirā-vedha and dāḍima–triphalā–trikaṭu–guḍa yoga (sama-bhāga)","lookup_keywords":["koshthaja","shira-vedha","dadima","triphala","trikatu","guda"],"quick_summary":"For abdominal-origin disorders, venesection is stated to give relief; an equal-proportion compound of pomegranate, Triphalā, Trikaṭu, and jaggery is then prescribed as a balancing digestive formulation."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Śodhana (eliminative measures) and dīpana-pācana formulations as complementary steps in systemic disease.
Application: When systemic congestion/heat is suspected, purificatory intervention may precede restorative digestion-focused compounds.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Therapeutics: purgation, venesection, and formulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician performs careful venesection on a patient with abdominal disorder; nearby, ingredients—pomegranate, Triphalā fruits, Trikaṭu spices, and jaggery—are weighed equally for a formulation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized clinic scene: vaidya with lancet, patient seated, assistants holding cloth and bowl, ingredients arranged in neat piles, bold lines and earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted medical instruments and bowls, central physician figure, decorative ingredient trays with pomegranate and spices, formal symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic layout: equal-part measures shown clearly, venesection tool rendered delicately, calm expressions, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed medical procedure with attendants, fine depiction of fruits/spices and jaggery blocks, precise interior architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुडञ्च → गुडम् च. (IAST दāṛimaṃ interpreted as दाडिमम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (sections on śodhana, raktamokṣa/śirā-vedha, and yoga-kalpanā)
It teaches an Ayurvedic therapeutic protocol: venesection (śirā-vedha) for koṣṭha-origin disorders, and an equal-parts formulation using pomegranate, Triphalā, Trikaṭu (vyoṣa), and jaggery.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical health-science content—specific clinical procedures (bloodletting) and precise materia medica/formula ratios—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
While primarily medical, such guidance aligns with the Purāṇic ideal of sustaining dharma through bodily well-being—supporting a life fit for ritual, study, and righteous conduct by restoring health.