Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 6
Bala-graha-hara Bāla-tantram (बालग्रहहर बालतन्त्रम्) — Pediatric protection and graha-affliction management
ग्रही त्रिरात्रे घण्ठाली तच्चेष्टा क्रन्दनं मुहुः जृम्भणं स्वनितन्त्रासो गात्रोद्वेगमरोचनं
grahī trirātre ghaṇṭhālī tacceṣṭā krandanaṃ muhuḥ jṛmbhaṇaṃ svanitantrāso gātrodvegamarocanaṃ
When a person is seized by a graha-affliction, within three nights there arise: a bell-like ringing (in the head/ears), abnormal movements, frequent crying, repeated yawning, fright at one’s own sounds, agitation of the limbs, and loss of appetite or relish.
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Symptomatology for a named graha-affliction (Ghanṭhālī) arising within three nights; supports differential diagnosis and selection of the matching pacificatory rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ghanṭhālī-graha: tri-rātra lakṣaṇa-saṅgraha","lookup_keywords":["Ghanṭhālī-graha","tri-rātra","ghanṭā-śabda","krandana jṛmbhaṇa","arocana"],"quick_summary":"Within three nights, Ghanṭhālī-graha is marked by bell-like ringing, abnormal movements, frequent crying, yawning, fear of one’s own sounds, limb agitation, and anorexia/arocaka."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-based taxonomy: naming the graha corresponds to a stable symptom pattern and time-course.
Application: Use time-to-onset (tri-rātra) plus hallmark signs (ghanṭā-like ringing, svanita-trasā) to classify and choose the rite.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Graha-roga / Bhuta-vidya: seizure-like afflictions and their symptoms)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A patient within three nights develops bell-like ringing sensation, cries repeatedly, yawns, startles at their own voice, limbs tremble with agitation, and refuses food.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, patient clutching head as if hearing bells, attendants trying to soothe, stylized sound-waves like small bells near the head, muted temple interior, strong outlines and earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure with expressive face showing fear and crying, gold-highlighted bell motif near head, attendants offering food rejected, ornate background with ritual objects.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart-like scene: icons for ringing, crying, yawning, startle, limb agitation, anorexia; physician-priest observing and noting signs, soft colors and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor scene with realistic expressions, patient startled by own utterance, attendants holding a food tray, delicate depiction of motion and sound cues."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तच्चेष्टा = तत् + चेष्टा; गात्रोद्वेगमरोचनं = गात्र-उद्वेगम् + अरोचनम् (sandhi: m+a → ma).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 298 (graha-lakṣaṇa series across successive verses)
FAQs
It gives diagnostic lakṣaṇas (clinical signs) of graha-roga/Bhūta-vidyā-type affliction—ringing sounds, abnormal motions, crying, yawning, sound-startle, limb agitation, and anorexia—used to recognize the condition early (within three nights).
By cataloging medical/psychophysical symptomatology (Ayurveda/Bhūta-vidyā) alongside the Purana’s other domains, it functions like a compendium that preserves practical diagnostic knowledge, not only theology and ritual.
Naming the graha-affliction and its signs supports timely remedial action (śānti, mantra, and therapeutic measures), framed in Purāṇic thought as reducing harmful influences and restoring bodily and mental sattva.