Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 36
Bala-graha-hara Bāla-tantram (बालग्रहहर बालतन्त्रम्) — Pediatric protection and graha-affliction management
चतुर्थे चटकाशोफो ज्वरः सर्वाङ्गसादनम् मत्स्यमांसतिलाद्यैश् च बलिः स्नानञ्च धूपनम्
caturthe caṭakāśopho jvaraḥ sarvāṅgasādanam matsyamāṃsatilādyaiś ca baliḥ snānañca dhūpanam
In the fourth instance there is sudden swelling (caṭakā-śopha), fever, and prostration of the whole body. A bali is to be offered with fish, meat, sesame and the like, and bathing and fumigation are to be performed.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Bhuta-vidya","practical_application":"Recognizing fever with swelling and systemic debility as a dangerous complication and applying śānti-oriented adjunct rites (bali, snāna, dhūpana) alongside care.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Caturtha-lakṣaṇa: caṭakā-śopha with jvara and sarvāṅga-sādana; bali–snāna–dhūpana","lookup_keywords":["jvara","śopha","sarvāṅgasādana","dhūpana","matsyamāṃsa"],"quick_summary":"Identifies a phase marked by sudden swelling, fever, and whole-body prostration; prescribes appeasement offerings with fish/meat/sesame and supportive cleansing and fumigation."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Integrated response to suffering: physical symptoms are addressed with supportive measures while ritual śānti is used to restore perceived cosmic/psychic balance.
Application: Combine observation of clinical signs with structured supportive regimen and community ritual care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-chikitsa: Jvara & Upadrava/complications)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ill person lying weakened with visible swelling and feverish posture; nearby a priest prepares bali with fish, meat, and sesame; attendants arrange bath water and fumigation brazier.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized sickbed scene with swollen limb, priest at side with offering tray (fish, sesame), smoke of dhūpa curling, subdued reds/ochres, compassionate attendants.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented ritual lamp and incense, dramatic contrast between ill figure and radiant altar, richly patterned textiles, emphasis on sacred implements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic layout: left panel shows symptoms (śopha, jvara), right panel shows remedies (bali items, snāna pot, dhūpa), fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with physician-like attendant and priest, detailed rendering of fish and sesame, delicate smoke trails, expressive faces showing concern."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave-instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वाङ्गसादनम् = सर्व + अङ्ग + सादनम्; तिलाद्यैश् → तिलाद्यैः; स्नानञ्च = स्नानम् + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 298 (year/phase-wise afflictions and remedies)
FAQs
It gives a combined therapeutic-ritual protocol for a fever episode marked by sudden swelling and whole-body debility: perform a bali (appeasement offering) using fish, meat, sesame, etc., along with snāna (bathing) and dhūpana (fumigation).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s cross-disciplinary style by placing disease description (jvara/śopha symptoms) alongside practical interventions that blend Ayurveda-like measures (dhūpana as a hygienic/medicated fumigation) with ritual action (bali), showing medicine, ritual, and daily practice in one continuum.
The bali, bathing, and fumigation function as acts of appeasement and purification—intended to remove harmful influences, restore balance, and support recovery, thereby aligning bodily healing with ritual cleanliness and propitiation.