Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
सर्वक्षीराणि वर्ज्याणि तासाञ्चैवाप्यन्निर्दशं शशकः शल्यकी गोधा खड्गः कूर्मस्तथैव च
sarvakṣīrāṇi varjyāṇi tāsāñcaivāpyannirdaśaṃ śaśakaḥ śalyakī godhā khaḍgaḥ kūrmastathaiva ca
All kinds of milk are to be avoided; and among them, those milks whose kind is not expressly designated are also to be avoided—such as (the milk) of the hare, porcupine, iguana, rhinoceros, and likewise the tortoise.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Identifies prohibited milks, especially from non-standard/unspecified sources, preventing unsafe or ritually improper dairy consumption.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Apathya: prohibited milks (including hare, porcupine, iguana, rhinoceros, tortoise)","lookup_keywords":["sarva-kṣīra-varjana","ani(r)diṣṭa-kṣīra","śaśaka-kṣīra","śalyakī","kūrma"],"quick_summary":"States a broad avoidance of milks, emphasizing that milk from unspecified or unusual animals is to be rejected. Functions as a safety/orthopraxy filter for dairy intake."}
Concept: Dravya-śuddhi by source—rejecting anirdiṣṭa (non-authorized/unclear) animal products.
Application: Encourages conservative sourcing of animal products to reduce harm and maintain śāstric conformity.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Ahara-vidhi (Dietary rules and prohibited foods)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic teacher points to a chart of animals and their milks marked as prohibited; unusual animals (hare, porcupine, iguana, rhinoceros, tortoise) appear in a row with crossed-out milk pots.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized animal frieze with milk vessels, red prohibition marks, teacher with palm-leaf manuscript, earthy tones and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate framed panel of animals with gold accents on vessels, clear 'avoid' symbolism, symmetrical composition, didactic icon-like presentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart aesthetic, fine lines and labels for each animal, calm classroom setting with guru explaining dietary prohibitions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic animals in a garden margin, small milk pots beside each, calligraphic annotations indicating prohibition, scholar seated with manuscript."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तासाञ्चैवापि = तासाम् + च + एव + अपि; तथैव = तथा + एव; अन्निर्दशम्—पाठ/सन्धि: अ + निर्दशम् (समासरूप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (milk/animal-food restrictions cluster)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic-style dietary prohibition: avoid milk in general, and specifically avoid milk from non-standard/unspecified animals (illustrated by hare, porcupine, monitor lizard, rhinoceros, and tortoise).
By cataloging practical health-and-purity guidance (food classifications and prohibitions), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that includes Ayurveda-like dietetics alongside ritual and dharma topics.
Avoiding prohibited foods is framed as maintaining śauca (purity) and supporting sattvic conduct; dietary restraint is treated as conducive to bodily well-being and ritual/spiritual fitness.