Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Māheśvara-snāna: Lakṣa/Koṭi-homa, Protective Baths, Unguents, and Graha-Śānti
वचा हरिद्रे द्वे मुस्तं स्नानं रक्षोहणं परं आयुष्यञ्च यशस्यञ्च धर्ममेधाविवर्धनम्
vacā haridre dve mustaṃ snānaṃ rakṣohaṇaṃ paraṃ āyuṣyañca yaśasyañca dharmamedhāvivardhanam
Un baño preparado con vacā (cálamo aromático), las dos haridrā (dos clases de cúrcuma) y mustā (juncia) es la suprema protección contra seres malignos; promueve longevidad y fama, y acrecienta la rectitud (dharma) y la inteligencia.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic discourse style of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Prepare a protective herbal bath using vacā, haridrā-dvaya, and mustā for rakṣoghna (protective) effect and for promoting longevity, reputation, dharma, and intellect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Rakṣoghna-snānayoga: Vacā–Haridrā-dvaya–Mustā","lookup_keywords":["vacha","haridra-dvaya","musta","rakshoghna","snana-yoga"],"quick_summary":"A bath with vacā, two kinds of turmeric, and mustā is declared highly protective and supportive of āyus, yaśas, dharma, and medhā."}
Concept: Well-being is linked with dharma and medhā; protective rites (rakṣā) are integrated with health-promoting regimens.
Application: Combine bodily hygiene (snāna) with intentional protective discipline (rakṣā-saṅkalpa) to cultivate steadiness, confidence, and ethical conduct.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Snana-yoga / Rakshoghna-dravya: protective medicinal bath ingredients)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Herbal bath preparation: vacā rhizomes, turmeric varieties, and mustā tubers are pounded and steeped; the devotee bathes or is sprinkled, symbolizing protection and longevity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized herbs on a tray, priest preparing yellow-tinted bath water, devotee seated calmly, protective aura motifs, earthy palette with turmeric gold accents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate vessel with golden-yellow herbal water, herbs arranged like offerings, subtle halo around bather, gold leaf highlights emphasizing maṅgala and rakṣā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of three herbs with fine botanical detail, shown being boiled and poured into a bathing pot; calm domestic-ritual setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary-like scene: grinding herbs with mortar, simmering decoction, attendant pours into bath basin; delicate naturalism and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आयुष्यम् + च → आयुष्यञ्च; यशस्यम् + च → यशस्यञ्च; रक्षोहणम् = रक्षः-हणम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 266 (rakṣā/snānadravya phala series)
FAQs
It prescribes an Ayurvedic-ritual bath (snāna) using vacā, haridrā-dvaya, and mustā as rakṣoghna (protective/warding) substances to repel harmful influences.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical health-and-protection measures—herbal materia medica applied to daily purification (snāna) with stated worldly and ethical benefits.
The bath is framed as both protective purification and merit-supporting practice, said to enhance dharma (righteous conduct/merit) and medhā (clarity and intelligence), linking bodily cleansing with spiritual uplift.