Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 35
Chapter 282 — नानारोगहराण्यौषधानि
Medicines that Remove Various Diseases
वंशत्वग्वरुणक्वाथः शर्कराश्मविघातनः शाखोटक्वाथसक्षौद्रक्षीराशी श्लीपदी भवेत्
vaṃśatvagvaruṇakvāthaḥ śarkarāśmavighātanaḥ śākhoṭakvāthasakṣaudrakṣīrāśī ślīpadī bhavet
A decoction of bamboo-bark and varuṇa is a remedy that breaks up and dissolves urinary gravel and stones. Likewise, one afflicted with ślīpada (elephantiasis) should take a decoction of śākhoṭa together with honey and milk as part of the prescribed regimen.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Two therapeutic indications: (1) lithotriptic decoction for urinary gravel/stones; (2) regimen for elephantiasis using a specific decoction with honey and milk.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vaṃśatvak–Varuṇa kvātha for aśmarī; Śākhoṭa regimen for ślīpada","lookup_keywords":["aśmarī","varuṇa","vaṃśatvak (bamboo bark)","ślīpada","śākhoṭa"],"quick_summary":"Bamboo-bark and varuṇa decoction is indicated to break urinary gravel/stones; for elephantiasis, take śākhoṭa decoction with honey and milk as a supportive regimen."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Indication-based formulation: one verse can encode multiple disease-specific protocols (aśmarī-bhedana; śotha/ślīpada management).
Application: Use clear therapeutic goals—bhedana (breaking), mutrala (diuresis), śothahara (anti-edema)—to choose drugs and anupāna.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bhaiṣajya / Cikitsā—therapeutic remedies in Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-part medical scene: (1) bamboo bark and varuṇa decoction prepared for a patient with urinary stones; (2) a swollen-legged patient (elephantiasis) receiving śākhoṭa decoction with honey and milk.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition with two vignettes, stylized bamboo and varuṇa plant motifs, vaidya preparing decoction, second vignette showing swollen legs treated with milk-and-honey medicine, traditional flat shading","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dual-panel narrative with ornate gold borders, physician offering medicine, gold highlights on milk vessel and honey jar, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic illustration: labeled ingredients, stone/gravel icon near bladder area, second panel showing edema/leg swelling and regimen items (milk, honey), fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic botanical rendering of bamboo and varuṇa, physician in courtly clinic, patient with discomfort; second scene with chronic swelling, attendants holding milk and honey, detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaṃśatvagvaruṇakvāthaḥ → वंशत्वक् + वरुणक्वाथः; śākhoṭakvāthasakṣaudrakṣīrāśī → शाखोटक्वाथस + क्षौद्रक्षीराशी; ‘स’ = सह (with) अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 282 (aśmarī and ślīpada remedies)
FAQs
It imparts Ayurvedic therapeutic knowledge: specific decoctions (kvātha) and vehicles (honey, milk) prescribed for dissolving urinary gravel/stones and for managing ślīpada (elephantiasis-like swelling).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical medical recipes—naming drugs, preparations, and indications—showing its wide coverage of applied sciences like Ayurveda alongside ritual and doctrine.
While primarily clinical, such guidance is framed in Purāṇic transmission as dharmic welfare-knowledge (lokānugraha): preserving health supports righteous living, ritual capacity, and disciplined conduct.