Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 57
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
धूपो वृश्चिकदष्टस्य शिखिपत्रघृतेन वा अर्कक्षीरेण संपिष्टं लोपा वीजं पलाशजं
dhūpo vṛścikadaṣṭasya śikhipatraghṛtena vā arkakṣīreṇa saṃpiṣṭaṃ lopā vījaṃ palāśajaṃ
বিছার দংশনে ধূপ (ঔষধীয় ধোঁয়া) দিতে হয়—পলাশজাত লোপা-বীজ শিখীপাত-সিদ্ধ ঘি দিয়ে অথবা অর্কের ক্ষীর (দুগ্ধলতা) দিয়ে বেটে।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic medical lore)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Scorpion-sting management using medicated fumigation and topical paste preparation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vṛścika-daṃśa: Dhūpa with Palāśa-lopā-bīja and Arka-kṣīra/ghṛta","lookup_keywords":["vṛścika-daṣṭa","dhūpa","arka-kṣīra","palāśa","lopā-bīja"],"quick_summary":"For scorpion sting, the text prescribes dhūpa (therapeutic fumigation) using palāśa-derived seeds, prepared with śikhī-leaf ghee or arka latex. It is a rapid-response toxicology measure."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Prayoga (practical application) of dravya and upakrama (dhūpa) in acute conditions
Application: Recognize dhūpa as a therapeutic route (inhalational/environmental) in addition to ingestion/topical measures in viṣa conditions.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Bhaiṣajya (Agni Purana medicinal remedies)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small brazier emitting medicated smoke while a healer grinds palāśa seeds with arka latex or ghee, treating a scorpion-stung patient.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized brazier with curling smoke, healer grinding herbs on stone slab, patient with swollen hand/foot, bold outlines, herbal plants (palāśa, arka) in background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted brazier and lamp, thick decorative smoke curls, healer holding palāśa seeds, patient attended by family, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional layout: brazier for dhūpa, grinding stone, labeled ingredients (arka latex, ghṛta, palāśa seeds), calm clinical scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed indoor clinic, physician preparing paste, brazier with aromatic smoke, patient reclining, meticulous depiction of jars and botanical specimens"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वृश्चिकदष्टस्य = वृश्चिक + दष्टस्य; शिखिपत्रघृतेन = शिखि + पत्र + घृतेन; अर्कक्षीरेण = अर्क + क्षीरेण.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 278 (scorpion remedies sequence)
FAQs
It teaches an anti-viṣa (anti-poison) therapeutic procedure: preparing a dhūpa (fumigation) using palāśa-derived lopā seeds, triturated with either medicated ghee or arka latex, for scorpion sting management.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical toxicology and pharmacy—showing household-accessible materia medica (palāśa, arka) and a concrete treatment method (dhūpa) for a common medical emergency (scorpion sting).
By presenting compassionate, life-preserving knowledge as dharma, the text frames healing as a meritorious act—reducing suffering and protecting life, which is traditionally upheld as a righteous duty.