Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 23
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
शुष्कमूलककौलत्थमूलजाङ्गलजैरसैः यवगोधूमशाल्यन्नं जीर्णम् सोशीरमाचरेत्
śuṣkamūlakakaulatthamūlajāṅgalajairasaiḥ yavagodhūmaśālyannaṃ jīrṇam sośīramācaret
One should take well-digested food—barley, wheat, and rice—along with soups or juices prepared from dried radish, kulattha, roots, and the meat-essence of wild animals, and it should be accompanied by uśīra (vetiver).
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, Ayurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Regimen for taking only well-digested staple grains with specific meat-essences and radish/horse-gram/root soups, accompanied by uśīra, to support recovery and prevent aggravation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jīrṇa-anna Pathya with Śuṣka-mūlaka–Kulattha–Mūla–Jāṅgala-rasa and Uśīra","lookup_keywords":["jīrṇa-anna","uśīra","jāṅgala-rasa","śuṣka-mūlaka","kulattha"],"quick_summary":"Take barley, wheat, and rice only when properly digested, along with soups/juices of dried radish, horse-gram, roots, and jāṅgala meat-essence, with uśīra. Emphasizes timing (after digestion) and supportive adjuncts for convalescence and respiratory/digestive balance."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Aushadha is incomplete without kāla-niyama (right timing) and agni-parīkṣā (ensuring digestion).
Application: In chronic or recovering states, regulate meal timing and choose supportive anupāna/adjuncts (like uśīra) to prevent relapse.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Cikitsa / Pathya-Apathya: Dietetics and regimen)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A convalescent meal setting: bowls of barley/wheat/rice, a clear meat-essence soup, dried radish and horse-gram preparations, and vetiver (uśīra) infusion nearby; emphasis on measured eating after digestion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: calm domestic-vaidya scene with convalescent seated, attendant offering small portion of grain and jāṅgala rasa; uśīra roots shown in a water pot; muted earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented tray with three grains and a golden cup of uśīra water; physician indicating ‘jīrṇa’ timing with a gesture; gold leaf accents on vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional composition with labeled items (yava, godhūma, śāli, uśīra) and a clock-like motif indicating ‘after digestion’; clean lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined dining scene with physician advising; small bowls of grains and clear broth; vetiver roots steeping in a glassy vessel; delicate architectural background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुष्कमूलककौलत्थमूलजाङ्गलजैरसैः → शुष्क-मूलक-कौलत्थ-मूल-जाङ्गल-जैः-रसैः; सोशीरम् → स-उशीरम्; आचरेत् is optative.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 278.20 (similar ingredient set); Agni Purana 278.21-278.22 (respiratory pathya and formulations)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dietetics (pathya): consume only jīrṇa-anna (food taken after prior meal is digested), emphasizing light grains (barley, wheat, rice) and strengthening broths (rasa) including jāṅgala-meat essence, with uśīra as a cooling aromatic adjunct.
It shows the Purana functioning as a practical handbook by preserving clinical-style nutritional guidance—specific ingredients, food categories (jāṅgala), and timing rule (jīrṇa)—alongside its religious and mythic material.
By advocating moderation and proper digestion (a form of bodily purity and self-restraint), the verse aligns healthful conduct with dharmic living—supporting clarity, steadiness, and reduced harm from overeating or improper diet.