Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 43
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
धात्रीफलान्यथाज्यञ्च शिरोलेपनमुत्तमम् शिरोरोगविनाशाय स्निग्धमुष्णञ्च भोजनम्
dhātrīphalānyathājyañca śirolepanamuttamam śirorogavināśāya snigdhamuṣṇañca bhojanam
Dhātrī (āmalakā) fruits, and also ghee, are an excellent paste for application to the head. For the destruction of head-diseases, one should take food that is unctuous and warm.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Apply āmalakī and ghee as a head paste; adopt warm, unctuous diet to alleviate head disorders.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiro-lepa with Dhātrī & Ghṛta; Snigdha-Uṣṇa Bhojana for Śiro-roga","lookup_keywords":["dhātrī phala","ghṛta","śirolepa","śiroroga","snigdhoṣṇa bhojana"],"quick_summary":"Āmalakī fruits and ghee are recommended for topical head application. Warm, unctuous food is advised as supportive diet for resolving head ailments."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Pathya (diet) and bahir-parimarjana (external application) together form complete cikitsā for śiro-vikāra.
Application: Combine topical lepa with dietary regulation rather than relying on a single intervention.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa—Head ailments and therapies)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer prepares a paste of āmalakī fruits mixed with ghee and applies it to a patient’s scalp; nearby, warm unctuous food is served as part of the regimen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya grinding āmalakī on stone slab, mixing with ghṛta, applying to head; warm meal on leaf plate with steam rising, serene palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on ghee pot and serving vessels, āmalakī rendered as green-gold fruits, central head-application scene, auspicious domestic interior","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic composition: ingredients (āmalakī, ghṛta), method of lepa application, and recommended warm snigdha meal; fine outlines and gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate clinic scene with detailed textiles, copper ghee pot, bowl of āmalakī paste, patient seated, attendant bringing warm food, botanical precision"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धात्रीफलान्यथाज्यञ्च → धात्रीफलानि + अथ + आज्यम् + च; शिरोलेपनमुत्तमम् → शिरोलेपनम् + उत्तमम्; स्निग्धमुष्णञ्च → स्निग्धम् + उष्णम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda: śiro-roga cikitsā, ghṛta-prayoga, pathya-apathya discussions (same 278 cluster)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic therapeutic rule: apply a head-paste using āmalaka (dhātrī) and ghee, and support recovery from head disorders with a warm, unctuous diet.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical Ayurveda—specific materia medica (āmalaka, ghee), external therapy (śirolepa), and dietary regimen (snigdha-uṣṇa bhojana).
By prescribing compassionate, health-preserving conduct (care of the body as a dharmic support for sādhana), it frames healing as part of righteous living rather than mere comfort.