Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Daṣṭa-cikitsā (Treatment for Bites) — Mantra-Dhyāna-Auṣadha Protocols for Viṣa
सुजप्तशङ्खभेर्यादिनिस्वनश्रवणेन वा संदहत्येव संयुक्तो भूतेजोव्यत्ययात् स्थितः
sujaptaśaṅkhabheryādinisvanaśravaṇena vā saṃdahatyeva saṃyukto bhūtejovyatyayāt sthitaḥ
Or else, by hearing the resonant sound of a conch (śaṅkha), kettle-drum (bherī), and similar instruments well consecrated by japa, the afflicting entity—being in a state produced by the inversion (mutual opposition) of the elements and fiery energy—seems, as it were, to be burned up when confronted by that rite.
Lord Agni (narrating the remedial procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Bhuta-vidya","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apotropaic pacification by consecrated sound (śaṅkha, bherī, etc.) to burn/drive off afflicting entities through elemental-fire opposition.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śaṅkha–Bherī Nisvana Śravaṇa for Bhūta-śānti (Tejas-vyatyaya)","lookup_keywords":["śaṅkha","bherī","nisvana","bhūta-śānti","tejas-vyatyaya"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes hearing/producing the resonant sound of mantra-consecrated instruments as a means to scorch and dispel afflictive beings, explained via an elemental ‘tejas’ inversion dynamic."}
Concept: Nāda (consecrated sound) functions as a tejas-charged counterforce; ‘vyatyaya’ of elements is invoked to explain the burning/dislodging effect on subtle entities.
Application: Ritual acoustics: deploy sanctified sound as an environmental intervention for protection and pacification.
Khanda Section: Mantra-śānti and Bhūta-vidyā (Apotropaic rites; sound-and-mantra based pacification)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated conch and kettle-drum are sounded; waves of sound appear as fiery radiance confronting a shadowy afflicting entity, which seems to burn and dissolve.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large white conch and red bherī, concentric sound-rings painted as flame-edged halos, dark bhūta figure recoiling, temple courtyard with lamps, bold stylization","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate conch and drum with gold highlights, sound depicted as golden flames, protective priest and devotee, embossed aureole around instruments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional scene: instruments on a platform, priest consecrating then sounding them, subtle fiery sound waves, calm interior shrine setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, musicians and priest in a courtyard producing powerful sound, a faint smoky entity dispersing near a doorway, intricate architectural details and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संदहत्येव → संदहति + एव; भूतेजोव्यत्ययात् → भूत-तेजः-व्यत्ययात्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 294 (mantra-śānti and rakṣā contexts)
FAQs
It teaches an apotropaic method: the properly mantra-consecrated sound of conch and drums is used as a protective/expelling measure against bhūta-type afflictions, functioning like a “burning” deterrent.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technologies—here, a specific, implement-based procedure (śaṅkha/bherī sound with japa-siddhi) for pacification and removal of harmful influences.
By employing sanctioned mantra and auspicious ritual sound, one performs a dharmic act of purification and protection, restoring ritual order (śānti) and reducing the impact of inauspicious forces.