Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
उरू स्पृशति चात्यर्थं सुप्तञ्चैनं विबुध्यते कपित्थचूर्णयोगेन तथा दघ्नः स्रजा तथा
urū spṛśati cātyarthaṃ suptañcainaṃ vibudhyate kapitthacūrṇayogena tathā daghnaḥ srajā tathā
When one touches his thighs excessively, he falls asleep; he can be awakened by applying a preparation made with kapittha (wood-apple) powder; likewise, he may be roused by a garland (srajā) made of curd (dadhi).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Practical sleep-induction and arousal measures: recognizing pressure/touch points that promote sleep and using specific sensory/medicinal stimuli (kapittha powder, curd garland) to awaken.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nidra-bodhana: Thigh-touch sleep and awakening with kapittha-curna and dadhi-sraja","lookup_keywords":["uru-sparsha","nidra","bodhana","kapittha-curna","dadhi-sraja"],"quick_summary":"Excessive thigh-touch is said to induce sleep; awakening can be effected by applying kapittha powder preparation and by using a curd-based garland as a stimulating measure."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Physiological states can be modulated through sparsha (touch) and gandha/dravya (substances) as external upakramas.
Application: Use non-invasive external interventions (touch management, topical/olfactory stimulants) before stronger internal measures when addressing drowsiness.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Remedies and therapeutic applications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer demonstrates: pressing/touching the thighs causes a person to drift into sleep; then the healer applies kapittha powder preparation and places a curd garland near the person to awaken him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel instructional scene, stylized healer and patient on a mat, first panel thigh-touch inducing sleep, second panel healer applying kapittha powder and holding a white curd garland, clear gestures and herbal bowl details","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated patient, attendant with ornate bowl labeled kapittha, curd garland rendered with pearl-like white beads, gold accents on vessels, temple-like interior framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition with labeled items (kapittha curna, dadhi sraja), soft colors, emphasis on hands demonstrating touch points and application method","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, medical vignette in a courtyard room, fine depiction of powder being applied, attendant holding a garland, patient transitioning from sleep to wake, detailed textiles and containers"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुप्तञ्चैनम् = सुप्तम् + च + एनम्; कपित्थचूर्णयोगेन = कपित्थ-चूर्ण-योगेन. ‘दघ्नः’ पाठः संदिग्धः; सम्भाव्यं ‘दध्नः’ (दधि-षष्ठी) इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda: bodhana, dhupana, and sensory therapies (near 223.20)
FAQs
It gives a practical Ayurvedic method for rousing a person from sleep or stupor: using kapittha (wood-apple) powder as an application, and alternatively using a curd-based garland as a stimulating measure.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied health-knowledge—brief, actionable therapeutic tips (dravyas like kapittha and preparations like cūrṇa-yoga) that resemble a medical handbook embedded within a Purāṇa.
By promoting preservation of life and timely care of the vulnerable, the instruction aligns with dharma as compassionate action (dayā) and supports the merit of protecting health as a righteous duty.