Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 43
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
शतं शतं सुवर्णञ्च कांस्यादिकं द्विजे ददेत् गावः पूज्या विमोक्तव्याः शान्त्यै क्षीरादिसंयुताः
śataṃ śataṃ suvarṇañca kāṃsyādikaṃ dvije dadet gāvaḥ pūjyā vimoktavyāḥ śāntyai kṣīrādisaṃyutāḥ
One should give, by the hundreds, gold and also bronze and the like to a twice-born (brāhmaṇa). For pacification (śānti), cows—endowed with milk and other produce—are to be honored and then set free.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for dāna (gold/bronze) to brāhmaṇas and go-sevā/go-dāna (honor and release of cows) as a śānti-kalpa measure for pacification and expiation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śānti through dāna and go-vimocana","lookup_keywords":["dāna","suvarṇa","kāṃsya","go-pūjā","śānti"],"quick_summary":"For pacification rites, give substantial gifts (gold, bronze, etc.) to qualified brāhmaṇas and perform cow-honoring followed by release, emphasizing cows with milk/produce as auspicious śānti-dravya."}
Concept: Dāna and go-sevā are śānti-producing acts that convert wealth into puṇya and social-sacral harmony.
Application: In times of fear, omens, or ritual impurity, perform measured charity and cow-honoring with non-violence (release) to restore auspiciousness.
Khanda Section: Dāna-Dharma & Śānti-Kalpa (Charity, expiation, and pacificatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A donor presents heaps of gold and bronze vessels to a seated brāhmaṇa; nearby, cows adorned with garlands are worshiped and then released, walking freely with calves.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ceremonial dāna scene: brāhmaṇa receiving gold/bronze, cows with floral garlands and lamps, calm temple-yard setting, strong outlines and warm palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold foil on ornaments and vessels, donor and brāhmaṇa with rich textiles, cows with jeweled headpieces, lamps and lotus motifs, auspicious symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined faces and soft gradients: clear depiction of dāna items (suvarṇa, kāṃsya), cow-pūjā with arati, then cows being led to freedom; instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly charity: noble donor, learned brāhmaṇa, attendants carrying metal vessels, detailed cows and pastoral background, delicate architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुवर्णञ्च = सुवर्णम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च); क्षीरादिसंयुताः = क्षीर-आदि + संयुताः (compound + participle).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 291 (Śānti-kalpa and expiations)
FAQs
It prescribes a śānti-prayoga: giving substantial metal-dāna (gold, bronze, etc.) to a dvija and performing go-pūjā followed by releasing cows, as a practical pacificatory measure.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs applied dharma—here, a concrete ritual-ethical protocol (dāna + go-sevā) used as a remedy for misfortune and for restoring auspiciousness.
The verse frames generosity to worthy recipients and reverent care/release of cows as merit-producing acts that reduce adversity and promote śānti (appeasement, well-being, and purification).