Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 24
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
गजाध्यक्षं हस्तिपञ्च गणितज्ञञ्च पूजयेत् गजाध्यक्षाय तन्दद्यात् डिण्डिमं सोपि वादयेत् शुभगम्भीरशब्दैः स्याज्जघनस्थो ऽभिवादयेत्
gajādhyakṣaṃ hastipañca gaṇitajñañca pūjayet gajādhyakṣāya tandadyāt ḍiṇḍimaṃ sopi vādayet śubhagambhīraśabdaiḥ syājjaghanastho 'bhivādayet
One should honor the Superintendent of Elephants (gajādhyakṣa), the five principal elephant-attendants, and the expert in computation. One should give the Superintendent a ḍiṇḍima (kettledrum), and he should have it sounded in auspicious, deep tones while standing behind the royal personage and offering salutations.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical of the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Court administration and ceremonial security: appointing/honoring elephant superintendent and staff, integrating computation/accounting expertise, and using drum signals for auspicious processional communication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gajādhikāra: honoring the Gajādhyakṣa, attendants, gaṇitajña; ḍiṇḍima signaling behind the king","lookup_keywords":["gajādhyakṣa","hastipañca","gaṇitajña","ḍiṇḍima","rāja-anuyāyin"],"quick_summary":"Honor key elephant-department officers and an accounting expert; provide a kettledrum to the elephant superintendent to sound auspicious deep tones from behind the royal personage as part of protocol and control."}
Weapon Type: War-drum (ḍiṇḍima) as command/signal instrument; elephant-corps organization
Concept: Statecraft requires specialized offices (elephant department, attendants, accounting) and standardized signals to maintain order.
Application: Institutionalize roles, honors, and signaling tools to ensure reliable logistics, finance tracking, and ceremonial/military discipline.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and court/administrative protocol)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a royal court/procession setting, the king is accompanied by the elephant superintendent, five chief attendants, and an accountant; the superintendent receives a kettledrum and sounds deep auspicious beats while standing behind and saluting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: royal procession with officials labeled by role—gajādhyakṣa holding a decorated ḍiṇḍima behind the king, five elephant attendants nearby, a gaṇitajña with palm-leaf ledger; bold lines, ceremonial symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: king and officials with gold-embossed regalia; gajādhyakṣa presented a drum with gilded rim; attendants and accountant in orderly rows; rich ornamentation and auspicious motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: administrative-protocol scene emphasizing roles—accountant with counting tools, superintendent with drum, clear rear-positioning behind the king; refined linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly distribution of gifts—drum handed to elephant superintendent; detailed textiles, ledger in accountant’s hand, guards and attendants; architectural court backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṇitajñañca = gaṇitajñam + ca; tandadyāt = tam + dadyāt; sopi = saḥ + api; syājjaghanastho = syāt + jaghanasthaḥ; 'bhivādayet = abhivādayet (a- elision after avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 290 (gaja-śānti and royal protocol cluster); Agni Purana 291 (transition to śānti and protective rites)
FAQs
It gives procedural guidance for honoring key state functionaries—especially the elephant-department head—and prescribes ceremonial use of the ḍiṇḍima (kettledrum) with auspicious, grave sounds as part of royal protocol.
Beyond theology, it records practical statecraft: administrative ranks (gajādhyakṣa), specialized staff (elephant corps, accountants), and formal court/ceremonial signaling (drum-sounding), showing the text’s coverage of governance and institutional management.
By honoring competent officers and maintaining auspicious ceremonial order, the ruler’s domain is portrayed as aligned with dharma—promoting prosperity, stability, and merit through disciplined, respectful governance.