Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 13
Kalpasāgara (Ocean of Formulations) — Mṛtyuñjaya Preparations and Rasāyana Regimens
भावितं भृङ्गराजेन मध्वाज्यन्त्रिशती भवेत् ताम्रं मृतं सृततुल्यं गन्धकञ्च कुमारिका
bhāvitaṃ bhṛṅgarājena madhvājyantriśatī bhavet tāmraṃ mṛtaṃ sṛtatulyaṃ gandhakañca kumārikā
Wird es wiederholt mit bhṛṅgarāja verrieben und durchtränkt, so wird es zu einer Zubereitung, die mit Honig und Ghee im Maß von „dreihundert“ einzunehmen ist. Kupfer wird „getötet“ (ordnungsgemäß kalziniert) und dem geläuterten Stoff gleich; ebenso Schwefel zusammen mit kumārikā (Aloe).
Lord Agni (instructional narration within Agni Purana’s encyclopedic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rasashastra processing: bhavana (levigation/impregnation) with herbal juice to render metallic/mineral substances fit for internal use; notes on marana (calcination) of copper and use of sulphur with kumarika.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhāvanā with Bhṛṅgarāja; Tāmra-māraṇa and Gandhaka–Kumārīkā Yoga","lookup_keywords":["bhāvanā","bhṛṅgarāja","tāmra mṛta","gandhaka","kumārīkā"],"quick_summary":"Repeated levigation with bhringaraja is prescribed to potentiate/prepare a formulation; copper is to be properly calcined (mṛta), and sulphur is combined with kumarika (aloe) in rasashastra-style processing."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Saṃskāra (processing) transforms dravya-guṇa and makes substances fit for intended therapeutic purpose.
Application: Applies the principle that correct pharmaceutical samskara (bhavana, marana) is integral to safety and efficacy.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Rasashastra (Alchemy and metallic pharmaceutics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rasashastra workshop: copper being calcined in a sealed crucible, sulphur and aloe prepared, and a mortar where bhringaraja juice levigates powders; honey and ghee kept as vehicles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style alchemical pharmacy: glowing furnace, sealed sharava-samputa, vaidya levigating powders with bhṛṅgarāja juice; stylized flames, deep greens and ochres, ritual cleanliness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents: central furnace and crucible, copper plates/powder, gandhaka lumps, aloe leaves; ornate vessels of madhu and ghṛta, luminous highlights on tools.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram-like scene: steps of bhāvanā (wet grinding), drying, māraṇa (calcination) of tāmra; fine detailing of mortar, pestle, furnace, and measured portions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature atelier: artisans and physician around a small kiln, one grinding with bhringaraja juice, another handling copper calcination; realistic botanical aloe and bhringaraja in margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मध्वाज्यन्त्रिशती → मधु + आज्य + त्रिशती (sandhi: मधु+आज्य = मध्वाज्य). गन्धकञ्च → गन्धकम् + च (m + c → ñc).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Khanda 285 (rasayana/rasashastra run of verses)
FAQs
It gives Rasashastra technique: bhāvanā (repeated levigation/impregnation) using bhṛṅgarāja and kumārī, and the concept of making metals like copper ‘mṛta’ (properly calcined/assimilable), along with sulphur processing—typical steps toward bhasma and rasāyana formulations.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences—here, pharmacological metallurgy and herb-mineral processing (Rasashastra). This demonstrates its wide scope as a compendium covering medicine, materials, and technical procedures alongside religious instruction.
In Purāṇic framing, transforming and purifying substances (e.g., making copper ‘mṛta’) parallels inner purification: disciplined processing, detoxification, and life-supporting rasāyana use are treated as dhārmic health-preserving acts that support sādhana and righteous living.