Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 301 — सूर्यार्चनं
Sūryārcana) / Sun-worship (closing colophon only
अटरुषकलाङ्गुल्यः काकमाच्याः शिफा पृथक् नाभेरधः समालिप्य प्रसूते प्रमदा सुखम्
aṭaruṣakalāṅgulyaḥ kākamācyāḥ śiphā pṛthak nābheradhaḥ samālipya prasūte pramadā sukham
Bereitet man getrennt eine Paste aus aṭaruṣa, kalāṅgulī und der Frucht/Schote von kākamācī und streicht sie unterhalb des Nabels auf, so gebiert die Frau bequem und mit Leichtigkeit.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prasuti-tantra upakrama: external lepa (paste-application) below the navel to ease labor and support comfortable delivery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prasava-sukha lepa (paste below navel)","lookup_keywords":["prasuti","lepa","aṭaruṣa","kalāṅgulī","kākamācī"],"quick_summary":"Prepare separate pastes of aṭaruṣa, kalāṅgulī, and kākamācī-phala/śiphā; apply below the navel to facilitate easier childbirth."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Applied healing knowledge (bhaiṣajya) used to reduce suffering in childbirth.
Application: Household/vaidya practice in women’s health: simple external formulation as supportive care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Stri-roga & Prasuti-tantra: herbal/medical remedies for childbirth)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A midwife/vaidya prepares three herbal pastes separately and applies a small lepa below a pregnant woman’s navel in a clean birthing room, conveying calm supportive care.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and ochres, a serene birthing chamber, traditional midwife grinding herbs on stone, applying lepa below navel, minimal background, classical facial features, flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold detailing, auspicious domestic scene, seated pregnant woman supported by attendants, herbal paste bowl highlighted with gold, ornate borders, warm devotional calm.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: labeled herbs aṭaruṣa, kalāṅgulī, kākamācī shown near mortar and pestle, midwife applying lepa below navel, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior with textiles, physician preparing separate pastes, careful application below navel, delicate botanical rendering of the three herbs, naturalistic faces and garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अटरुषकलाङ्गुल्यः = अटरुष-कलाङ्गुल्यः (तत्पुरुष); नाभेरधः = नाभेः अधः; समालिप्य = सम्+आ+लिप्+क्त्वा; प्रसूते = प्र+√सू (लट्, आ.).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 301 (Strīroga–prasūti remedies context)
FAQs
A practical Ayurvedic obstetric application: preparing and applying an external herbal paste (aṭaruṣa, kalāṅgulī, kākamācī fruit) below the navel to facilitate easier childbirth.
It shows the text’s medical compendium character by preserving concise, procedure-oriented prescriptions from Ayurveda/Prasūti-tantra alongside theology and ritual—demonstrating the Purana’s multi-disciplinary scope.
While framed as medical guidance rather than a rite, it reflects the dharmic aim of protecting mother and child; supporting safe childbirth is treated as a meritorious, life-preserving act consistent with Purāṇic welfare ethics.