Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 2
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
विंशत्यष्टादशनखाः शीतकालमदाश् च ये दक्षिणञ्चोन्नतन्दन्तं वृंहितं जलदोपमं
viṃśatyaṣṭādaśanakhāḥ śītakālamadāś ca ye dakṣiṇañconnatandantaṃ vṛṃhitaṃ jaladopamaṃ
Elephants that have twenty-eight toe-nails, that come into musth in the cold season, whose right tusk is raised, and whose trumpet is deep like a rain-cloud, are described as auspicious and excellent types.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Physiognomic/omen-based selection of auspicious elephants using observable markers (nail count, musth seasonality, tusk asymmetry, voice quality) for royal acquisition and husbandry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Auspicious gaja-lakṣaṇa: nails, musth season, tusk, and voice","lookup_keywords":["gaja-lakṣaṇa","twenty-eight nails","musth cold season","right tusk raised","rain-cloud voice"],"quick_summary":"An excellent elephant is characterized by specific conformation and behavioral signs: 28 nails, musth in cold season, raised right tusk, and a deep cloud-like trumpet—used for selection and prognostication."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: external signs correlate with internal vigor and fortune; systematic observation guides practical decisions.
Application: Codify procurement standards for royal stables and veterinary assessment protocols.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Lakshana-shastra (omens & physiognomy of animals)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close observational scene: attendants examine an elephant’s toenails, note the raised right tusk, and listen to its deep trumpet likened to a rain-cloud; cool-season setting implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, elephant in profile with emphasized tusks, attendants counting nails at the feet, stylized monsoon-cloud motif behind to echo the voice simile, cool-season palette, ornamental frame","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly adorned elephant with gold-highlighted tusk and ornaments, attendants at the feet counting nails, cloud motif in background with gold accents, regal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: numbered toenails, arrow pointing to right tusk, small vignette showing cold-season musth, subtle cloud icon near the mouth to indicate deep voice","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic elephant with attendants inspecting feet and tusk, a court scribe recording traits, grey-blue cloud bank in background, fine detailing of textiles and tools"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विंशत्यष्टादशनखाः → विंशति-अष्टादश-नखाः (द्विगु); मदाश् → मदाः; दक्षिणञ्चोन्नतन्दन्तं → दक्षिणम् च उन्नत-दन्तम्; जलदोपमं → जलद-उपमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyāya 286 gaja-lakṣaṇa sequences (subsequent verses likely expand types and defects)
FAQs
It gives gaja-lakṣaṇa: diagnostic traits for identifying a superior/auspicious elephant—nail count, season of musth, tusk-asymmetry, and deep cloud-like trumpeting.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical royal and applied knowledge (elephant selection and omen-based assessment), reflecting the Purana’s wide coverage of statecraft-adjacent sciences and natural observation.
Selecting auspicious, well-marked animals was traditionally linked with prosperity and harm-avoidance for the king/householder; correct selection is treated as dharmically beneficial because it supports orderly, non-harmful governance and ritual propriety.