Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 39
Chapter 369 — शरीरावयवाः
The Limbs/Organs and Constituents of the Body
षट्पञ्चाशत्सहस्राणि रसन्देहे वहन्ति ताः केदार इव कुल्याश् च क्लेदलेपादिकञ्च यत्
ṣaṭpañcāśatsahasrāṇi rasandehe vahanti tāḥ kedāra iva kulyāś ca kledalepādikañca yat
Cincuenta y seis mil (conductos) transportan el rasa (fluido nutritivo) dentro del cuerpo. Como surcos de riego en un campo, llevan la humedad, el recubrimiento y los efectos nutritivos afines por todo el organismo.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Explains rasavaha-srotas function via analogy; supports clinical reasoning about nourishment, hydration, and systemic distribution of rasa and kleda.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rasavaha-srotas (56,000 carriers of rasa)","lookup_keywords":["rasavaha","srotas","rasa-dhātu","kleda","kulya"],"quick_summary":"Describes numerous channels distributing rasa through the body, likened to irrigation furrows that spread moisture and nutritive coating everywhere."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Life is sustained by orderly distribution networks; nourishment is a process of regulated flow, not a static substance.
Application: Think in terms of pathways: when symptoms show dryness, heaviness, swelling, or poor complexion, consider rasa-flow and channel patency as primary levers.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasayana & Anatomy/Physiology: Rasavaha-srotas, Dhatu-parinama)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: jijnasa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A field (kedāra) with irrigation furrows (kulyāḥ) carrying water, visually blended into a human-body diagram where the same furrows become rasavaha channels spreading nutritive moisture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, lush green kedāra with white-blue water lines transforming into a stylized human figure filled with flowing golden rasa streams; bold contours, flat planes, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate human figure with gold-highlighted channel network; lower border shows a miniature kedāra with kulyā furrows in relief-like gold accents; rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic split-scene: left irrigation diagram with labeled furrows; right anatomical silhouette with branching rasavaha lines; fine linework, soft washes, clear labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a scholar-physician explaining irrigation as metaphor; detailed landscape with furrows and a manuscript illustration of human channels; delicate shading and realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षट्पञ्चाशत्सहस्राणि = षट् + पञ्चाशत् + सहस्राणि; रसन्देहे = रस + देहे (सन्धि: रसन्-); कुल्याश् = कुल्याः (visarga before च); कलेदलेपादिकञ्च = क्लेदलेपादिकम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 369 (dhātu measures and channel counts); Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda on dhātu-pariṇāma/rasāyana
FAQs
Ayurvedic physiology: it describes the extensive network of bodily channels that transport rasa (the primary nutritive fluid), explaining systemic nourishment via srotas/nāḍīs.
It exemplifies the Purana’s medical-scientific coverage by presenting anatomical/physiological doctrine—quantifying channels and using a practical irrigation analogy to explain circulation and nourishment.
By framing the body as an ordered system sustained by proper flow, it implicitly supports dharmic living: preserving bodily balance (through right diet and conduct) sustains clarity for worship, vows, and meritorious action.