Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 27
Chapter 369 — शरीरावयवाः
The Limbs/Organs and Constituents of the Body
सीरण्यश् च तथा सप्त पञ्च मूर्धानमाश्रिताः एकैका मेढ्रजिह्वास्ता अस्थि षष्टिशतत्रयं
sīraṇyaś ca tathā sapta pañca mūrdhānamāśritāḥ ekaikā meḍhrajihvāstā asthi ṣaṣṭiśatatrayaṃ
There are likewise seven sets of sīraṇya, and five that are situated in the head. Each is single; and the tongue and the penis are counted likewise. The bones are three hundred and sixty.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Body-part enumeration for śārīra knowledge: counts specific vessel/duct groups and total bones; supports clinical reference, marma caution, and pedagogical memorization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sīraṇya groups, head-based set, and 360 bones","lookup_keywords":["sīraṇya","mūrdhan","jihvā","meḍhra","asthi","triśaṣṭi-śatatraya"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates seven sīraṇya sets and five situated in the head; notes singularity of each and counts tongue and penis in the scheme; gives the classic total of 360 bones."}
Concept: Śarīra-jñāna is transmitted through saṅkhyā (enumeration) to make complex anatomy memorizable and operational.
Application: Use numerical scaffolding (7, 5, 360) as mnemonic anchors in study, diagnosis, and teaching.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Sharira (Anatomy and bodily enumeration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teaching scene showing a skeletal figure annotated with ‘360 bones’, alongside a head diagram marking five cranial sets and a separate note for tongue and penis as single entities in the count scheme.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, teacher-vaidya beside a stylized skeleton, bold numerals implied by repeated motifs, head inset with five marked points, restrained traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central skeleton icon with gold accents on joints, inset medallions for head sets, ornate border, ‘360’ suggested via repeated gilded dots.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean educational plate: skeleton with highlighted bone groups, head inset with five markers, small side sketches for tongue and genital as single-count items.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, medical madrasa-like class, students around a skeletal chart, fine detailing of skull and bones, marginal notes indicating counts."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mūrdhānamāśritāḥ = mūrdhānam + āśritāḥ; meḍhrajihvāstāḥ = meḍhra-jihvāḥ + tāḥ; ṣaṣṭiśatatrayaṃ = ṣaṣṭi-śata-trayam; sīraṇyaś = sīraṇyaḥ (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 369 (continued śārīra-saṅkhyā lists: jāla/kūrca/peśī/asthi)
FAQs
It imparts Ayurvedic śarīra-vidyā (anatomical enumeration): counts of bodily channels/ducts (sīraṇya), head-based structures, and the canonical total of bones (360).
By presenting quantitative anatomy—channels, organs, and bone counts—it shows the Agni Purana functioning like a compendium that includes medical-scientific cataloging alongside ritual and dharma topics.
Such anatomical knowledge supports disciplined self-understanding used in purification, yogic practice, and health-preserving conduct—treating the body as an ordered field for dharmic living and spiritual practice.