Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 10
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
कषायन्तु भवेत्तोयं स्नेहपाके चतुर्गुणं द्रव्यतुल्यं समुद्धृत्य द्रव्यं स्नेहं क्षिपेद्बुधः
kaṣāyantu bhavettoyaṃ snehapāke caturguṇaṃ dravyatulyaṃ samuddhṛtya dravyaṃ snehaṃ kṣipedbudhaḥ
In cooking a medicated fat (sneha—oil or ghee), the decoction-water should be four times the measure. Having taken kalka (the drug paste) in a quantity equal to the drug measure, the knowledgeable person should add the kalka and the sneha accordingly.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic Ayurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Core proportions for sneha-pāka (medicated ghee/oil): decoction-water quantity and addition of kalka (herbal paste) with sneha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sneha-pāka: kaṣāya-jala caturguṇa and kalka-sneha addition","lookup_keywords":["sneha-pāka","ghṛta-taila siddhi","caturguṇa kaṣāya-toya","kalka dravya","pāka proportion"],"quick_summary":"For medicated fats, use decoction-water in a fourfold measure and add the herbal paste/solid drug portion with the fat in the stated proportion, following a standardized cooking method."}
Concept: Right measure (mātrā) and right sequence (krama) are essential to efficacy in applied śāstra.
Application: Use fixed ratios to ensure reproducible potency and avoid burning/undercooking medicated fats.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bhaishajya / Sneha-kalpanā: medicated ghee/oil preparations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measured sneha-pāka setup: decoction-water in a vessel, herbal paste portion ready, and ghee/oil being poured in under a physician’s supervision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style; large cooking pot with marked level for fourfold decoction-water; bowls of kalka paste; a golden stream of ghṛta/taila poured; stylized flames and calm vaidya figure indicating proportions with hand gesture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents; ornate ghee pot and ladle; physician seated with palm-leaf notes; gold-leaf highlights on the sneha stream; rich textile patterns around the workspace.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional diagram-like painting; labeled components: kaṣāya-toya (4x), kalka (equal measure), sneha; sequential panels showing addition order and stirring.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature apothecary scene; precise measuring vessels, attendants adding kalka and pouring oil; fine detailing of herbs, paste texture, and shimmering ghee surface."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कषायन्तु → कषायम् तु; भवेत्तोयम् → भवेत् तोयम्; क्षिपेद्बुधः → क्षिपेत् बुधः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 280 (Sneha-kalpanā and pāka definitions)
FAQs
It gives a technical Ayurvedic formulation rule for sneha-pāka: the decoction liquid is prescribed as fourfold (caturguṇa), and the practitioner should measure and add the herbal drug component (commonly kalka/dravya) together with the fat medium (sneha) in proper proportion.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied health-science instructions—here, a precise pharmacological ratio used in preparing medicated oils/ghee—showing its coverage of practical Ayurveda alongside ritual and dharma topics.
By promoting correct preparation of healing medicines and competent practice (budhaḥ), the verse supports dharmic care of the body as a means to sustain sādhana and righteous living, linking well-being with the pursuit of spiritual duties.