Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 14
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
नागं वह्निं देवतादीन् वाह्यैर् जग्मुः स्वकं गृहम् द्विजेभ्यो दिक्षिणां दद्यात् हयवैद्यादिकस् तथा
nāgaṃ vahniṃ devatādīn vāhyair jagmuḥ svakaṃ gṛham dvijebhyo dikṣiṇāṃ dadyāt hayavaidyādikas tathā
Having duly dismissed Nāga, Agni, and the other deities, they departed with their mounts to their own abodes. One should then give the prescribed priestly fee (dakṣiṇā) to the twice-born (brāhmaṇas), and likewise reward specialists such as the physician for horses and others.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Proper closure of ritual: formal dismissal (visarjana) of invoked deities and correct distribution of dakṣiṇā to priests and remunerating technical specialists (e.g., horse-physician) engaged for the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Visarjana of deities and distribution of dakṣiṇā including specialist fees (hayavaidyādi)","lookup_keywords":["visarjana","dakṣiṇā","dvija","hayavaidya","ṛtvij fee"],"quick_summary":"After dismissing Nāga, Agni, and other deities to their abodes, pay the prescribed dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas and also compensate specialists such as veterinarians and other professionals involved."}
Concept: Dharma of completion: rites are incomplete without proper dismissal and fair compensation; honoring both sacred officiants and practical experts sustains social and ritual order.
Application: Always conclude ceremonies with visarjana and transparent payments; include remuneration for non-priest specialists who ensure logistical/animal/health needs.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Ritual Gifts and Priestly Fees)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Priests formally concluding the rite, gesturing dismissal of invoked deities; patrons distributing dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas and also paying a horse-physician and other specialists; mounts symbolically returning with deities to their realms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, concluding ritual scene: priests with palms raised in visarjana, patron offering coins/cloth to brāhmaṇas, a hayavaidya near a horse, dignified calm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, patron seated giving dakṣiṇā with gold-highlighted gifts, priests receiving, a horse and attendant physician at side, temple interior with ornate pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative panels: (1) visarjana gesture, (2) dakṣiṇā distribution list-like arrangement, (3) specialist (hayavaidya) receiving fee beside horse; soft colors and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly payment scene after ceremony, detailed textiles and coin trays, priests and specialists in distinct attire, horse with physician, refined composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devatādīn = devatā-ādīn; hayavaidyādikas = haya-vaidyādikaḥ (visarga lost in sandhi/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on dāna-vidhi and dakṣiṇā-niyama; adhyāya 290 concluding steps
FAQs
It teaches the proper closure of a rite—dismissing the invoked deities (visarjana) and then giving dakṣiṇā, including payment to specialized professionals like a hayavaidya (horse physician).
Alongside ritual protocol, it acknowledges specialized applied sciences and services (e.g., veterinary care for horses), showing how the text integrates religious procedure with practical social and professional duties.
Proper visarjana and dakṣiṇā complete the ritual ethically and karmically—honoring invoked powers and ensuring the rite bears merit through rightful gratitude and support of learned and skilled persons.