Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
Aghīrāstra-ādi-Śānti-kalpaḥ
Rite for Pacification of Aghora-Astra and Other Weapons
द्विपदादेर्यदा मारि लक्षार्धाच्च तिलाज्यतः हस्तिमारीप्रशान्त्यर्थं करिणीदन्तवर्धने
dvipadāderyadā māri lakṣārdhācca tilājyataḥ hastimārīpraśāntyarthaṃ kariṇīdantavardhane
When a māri (epidemic affliction) arises among bipeds and other beings, one should prepare a remedy using half a lakṣā (fifty thousand) together with sesame and ghee—intended to pacify elephant-plague and to promote the growth and strength of a female elephant’s tusks.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Veterinary and epidemic-response remedy for māri affecting bipeds and other beings, specifically aimed at pacifying elephant-plague and supporting tusk growth/strength in a female elephant; implies large-scale preparation/administration with tila and ghṛta.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Māri-śamana and Hasti-māri remedy with tila-ghṛta (veterinary)","lookup_keywords":["māri","hasti-māri","paśu-cikitsā","tila-ghṛta","lakṣā-ardha"],"quick_summary":"In epidemic-like affliction among beings, a large-quantity preparation involving sesame and ghee is prescribed, particularly to pacify elephant-plague and to promote/strengthen tusk development in a female elephant."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Care of dependent beings (paśu-rakṣā) as dharma and statecraft; integrating ritual and medicine in crisis
Application: During outbreaks, combine compassionate care, practical containment, and community rites to stabilize morale and protect livelihoods.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Pashu-Chikitsa (Veterinary Remedies and Protective Rites)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal elephant stable during an outbreak: caretakers preparing a large pot of sesame and ghee mixture; a female elephant being tended, with emphasis on tusks; a priest performs a protective rite nearby to pacify māri.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, grand elephant in profile, attendants with brass vessels of ghṛta and sesame, stable pillars, priest with small fire and offerings, earthy tones, compassionate mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, majestic female elephant adorned, gold-leaf accents on ornaments and ritual vessels, attendants offering sesame-ghṛta preparation, auspicious framing suggesting protection and recovery","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical veterinary scene: measured ingredients (tila, ghṛta) shown clearly, preparation pot, caretaker administering, stable hygiene elements, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed royal stable with elephants and mahouts, physicians preparing sesame-ghee mixture, careful attention to textiles and vessels, subtle depiction of illness and care"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विपदादेर्यदा → द्विपद-आदेः + यदा; लक्षार्धाच्च → लक्षा-अर्धात् + च; तिलाज्यतः → तिल-अज्यतः; हस्तिमारीप्रशान्त्यर्थं → हस्ति-मारी-प्रशान्ति-अर्थम्; करिणीदन्तवर्धने → करिणी-दन्त-वर्धने
Related Themes: Agni Purana paśu-cikitsā and bhaiṣajya-kalpa materials in the 300s; Agni Purana śānti-prayoga entries using tila-ghṛta in adjacent verses
FAQs
It gives a practical veterinary/medical instruction: a quantified preparation involving sesame (tila) and ghee (ājya), prescribed to pacify elephant-epidemic (hasti-māri) and to support tusk growth in a female elephant (kariṇī).
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge—animal health management and epidemic-affliction remedies—showing the text’s broad coverage of Ayurveda-like therapeutics and pragmatic guidance for society’s livelihood assets (such as elephants).
By prescribing a remedy aimed at praśānti (pacification) of māri, the verse frames disease-control as a dharmic act of protection and welfare, reducing harm to living beings and supporting orderly life through remedial, purificatory practice.