Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 39
Chapter 369 — शरीरावयवाः
The Limbs/Organs and Constituents of the Body
षट्पञ्चाशत्सहस्राणि रसन्देहे वहन्ति ताः केदार इव कुल्याश् च क्लेदलेपादिकञ्च यत्
ṣaṭpañcāśatsahasrāṇi rasandehe vahanti tāḥ kedāra iva kulyāś ca kledalepādikañca yat
Sechsundfünfzigtausend (Kanäle) führen das rasa (nährende Flüssigkeit) im Körper. Wie Bewässerungsfurchen auf einem Feld leiten sie Feuchtigkeit, Überzug und verwandte nährende Wirkungen durch den ganzen Leib.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Explains rasavaha-srotas function via analogy; supports clinical reasoning about nourishment, hydration, and systemic distribution of rasa and kleda.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rasavaha-srotas (56,000 carriers of rasa)","lookup_keywords":["rasavaha","srotas","rasa-dhātu","kleda","kulya"],"quick_summary":"Describes numerous channels distributing rasa through the body, likened to irrigation furrows that spread moisture and nutritive coating everywhere."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Life is sustained by orderly distribution networks; nourishment is a process of regulated flow, not a static substance.
Application: Think in terms of pathways: when symptoms show dryness, heaviness, swelling, or poor complexion, consider rasa-flow and channel patency as primary levers.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasayana & Anatomy/Physiology: Rasavaha-srotas, Dhatu-parinama)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: jijnasa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A field (kedāra) with irrigation furrows (kulyāḥ) carrying water, visually blended into a human-body diagram where the same furrows become rasavaha channels spreading nutritive moisture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush green kedāra with white-blue water lines transforming into a stylized human figure filled with flowing golden rasa streams; bold contours, flat planes, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate human figure with gold-highlighted channel network; lower border shows a miniature kedāra with kulyā furrows in relief-like gold accents; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split-scene: left irrigation diagram with labeled furrows; right anatomical silhouette with branching rasavaha lines; fine linework, soft washes, clear labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scholar-physician explaining irrigation as metaphor; detailed landscape with furrows and a manuscript illustration of human channels; delicate shading and realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षट्पञ्चाशत्सहस्राणि = षट् + पञ्चाशत् + सहस्राणि; रसन्देहे = रस + देहे (सन्धि: रसन्-); कुल्याश् = कुल्याः (visarga before च); कलेदलेपादिकञ्च = क्लेदलेपादिकम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 369 (dhātu measures and channel counts); Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda on dhātu-pariṇāma/rasāyana
FAQs
Ayurvedic physiology: it describes the extensive network of bodily channels that transport rasa (the primary nutritive fluid), explaining systemic nourishment via srotas/nāḍīs.
It exemplifies the Purana’s medical-scientific coverage by presenting anatomical/physiological doctrine—quantifying channels and using a practical irrigation analogy to explain circulation and nourishment.
By framing the body as an ordered system sustained by proper flow, it implicitly supports dharmic living: preserving bodily balance (through right diet and conduct) sustains clarity for worship, vows, and meritorious action.