Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 17
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
ऋषीणामग्निहोत्रेषु गावो होमेषु योजिताः सर्वेषामेव भूतानां गावः शरणमुत्तमं
ṛṣīṇāmagnihotreṣu gāvo homeṣu yojitāḥ sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ gāvaḥ śaraṇamuttamaṃ
In den Agnihotra-Riten der Weisen werden Kühe in den Homa-Opfern eingesetzt; für alle Wesen sind Kühe wahrlich die höchste Zuflucht.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Agnihotra/homa context: uphold go-seva and protect cows as integral to sacrificial economy; treat cow-products (milk, ghee) as ritually central and socially protected resources.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gauḥ as refuge in Agnihotra-Homa","lookup_keywords":["agnihotra","homa","gau","goghrita","sharana"],"quick_summary":"The verse frames cows as indispensable to agnihotra/homa through their products and as a universal refuge; it supports dharmic protection and gifting of cows in ritual society."}
Concept: Ritual order depends on mutually sustaining supports; cows are elevated as a universal śaraṇa due to their life-sustaining and yajña-enabling role.
Application: Prioritize non-violence and protection of cows; maintain availability of ghee/milk for rites; integrate go-dāna/go-sevā into household and community dharma.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Vedic Rituals and Dharma: Homa, Agnihotra, and Sacral Economy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage performs agnihotra at dawn; ghee from a cow is offered into the sacred fire while cows stand nearby as honored participants of the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, agnihotra scene with rishi in white garments, glowing homa-kunda, sacred cow beside, warm ochres and reds, stylized flames, serene devotional ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central agnihotra fire with gold-leaf highlights, rishi offering ghee, richly adorned cow with halo-like ornamentation, temple-like framing, auspicious motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional ritual layout: homa-kunda, ladle, ghee pot, cow and calf, rishi seated; fine linework, soft colors, annotated feel without text","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage courtyard, rishi at fire altar, attendants, cow in foreground, delicate foliage, naturalistic shading, intimate ritual moment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषीणामग्निहोत्रेषु = ऋषीणाम् + अग्निहोत्रेषु; सर्वेषामेव = सर्वेषाम् + एव; शरणमुत्तमं = शरणम् + उत्तमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: go-dāna/ dāna-dharma sections; Agni Purana: agnihotra/homa-vidhi sections
FAQs
It states the ritual utility of cows in Vedic practice—cows (and their products such as milk, ghee, and dung used as fuel/cakes) are integral to agnihotra and homa performances, emphasizing their sanctioned employment in fire-rites.
By codifying a dharmic-ritual principle (agnihotra/homa practice) alongside a broader ethical valuation (cows as universal refuge), it blends liturgical procedure with social-religious doctrine—typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, compendious style.
It frames reverence and protection of cows as a high-merit (puṇya) support for beings, linking ritual correctness in homa with dharmic shelter—suggesting purification and welfare accrue through honoring what sustains sacrifice and life.