Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 66
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
स्याद्दण्डसमपक्षाभ्यामतिक्रान्तो दृढः स्मृतः भवेत्स पक्षकक्षाभ्यामतिक्रान्तः प्रदारकः
syāddaṇḍasamapakṣābhyāmatikrānto dṛḍhaḥ smṛtaḥ bhavetsa pakṣakakṣābhyāmatikrāntaḥ pradārakaḥ
Wenn der (Puls/Grad) die beiden Werte, die „daṇḍa“ und „samapakṣa“ heißen, überschreitet, gilt er als „dṛḍha“ (der feste Typ). Überschreitet er „pakṣa“ und „kakṣā“, so wird er „pradāraka“ (der reißende/gewaltsame Typ) genannt.
Lord Agni (teaching to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Nāḍī-parīkṣā classification: identify pulse types by comparative thresholds to infer severity/prognosis and guide urgency of care.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nāḍī-bheda: Dṛḍha and Pradāraka pulse by surpassing named measures","lookup_keywords":["nāḍī-parīkṣā","dṛḍha-nāḍī","pradāraka-nāḍī","daṇḍa","samapakṣa"],"quick_summary":"When the pulse exceeds the measures termed daṇḍa and samapakṣa it is classified as dṛḍha (firm). When it exceeds pakṣa and kakṣā it is called pradāraka (tearing/violent), indicating a more forceful, potentially dangerous movement."}
Concept: Pramāṇa by comparative markers: knowledge through graded classification and naming
Application: Clinical reasoning: standardize observation terms so multiple physicians can communicate severity consistently.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-lakṣaṇa / Nāḍī-parīkṣā: pulse diagnosis and prognostic signs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician palpates a patient’s wrist, comparing pulse strength to named categories; a small side chart shows the labels daṇḍa, samapakṣa, pakṣa, kakṣā leading to dṛḍha and pradāraka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya seated with palm on patient’s wrist, herbal jars in background, stylized labels near the wrist indicating pulse categories, calm clinic setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, physician and patient with gold detailing on vessels and ornaments, inset medallions naming dṛḍha and pradāraka, rich warm tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional medical scene with fine lines: close-up of wrist palpation, annotated ladder of pulse categories, gentle colors and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hakim/vaidya examining pulse in a chamber, attendants holding records, detailed textiles; marginal notes showing dṛḍha and pradāraka terms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्दण्ड... = स्यात् दण्ड...; भवेत्स = भवेत् सः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda on nāḍī-lakṣaṇa and roga-lakṣaṇa (surrounding verses)
FAQs
It gives Ayurvedic diagnostic terminology: how a pulse is named when it exceeds specific comparative measures (daṇḍa/samapakṣa → dṛḍha; pakṣa/kakṣā → pradāraka), aiding clinical identification of pulse intensity.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like Ayurveda; this verse is a technical snippet of medical diagnostics (nāḍī-lakṣaṇa), showing the text’s compendium-style coverage.
Accurate diagnosis supports proper treatment and relief of suffering (duḥkha-nivṛtti), aligning medical practice with dharma by sustaining life and enabling religious duties and disciplined living.