Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 33
Chapter 279 — सिद्धौषधानि (Siddhauṣadhāni, “Perfected Medicines”) — Colophon/Closure
आश्रयं पवनादीनां तथैकमवशेषयेत् व्याधेर् निदानस्य तथा विपरीतमथौषधम्
āśrayaṃ pavanādīnāṃ tathaikamavaśeṣayet vyādher nidānasya tathā viparītamathauṣadham
Il faut déterminer le siège (āśraya) de vāta et des autres doṣa et, après examen, isoler ce qui demeure comme facteur décisif. De même, pour une maladie, on doit reconnaître son étiologie causale (nidāna) puis appliquer un remède (auṣadha) qui lui soit contraire (viparīta).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Clinical reasoning: identify doṣa locus (āśraya) and decisive residual factor; determine disease etiology (nidāna) and treat with opposite/contrary therapy (viparīta-auṣadha).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Āśraya–nidāna determination and viparīta-cikitsā principle","lookup_keywords":["āśraya","doṣa-sthāna","nidāna","viparīta-auṣadha","cikitsā-nyāya"],"quick_summary":"Diagnosis proceeds by locating the doṣa’s seat and isolating the key factor behind symptoms. Treatment follows the rule of opposites: apply remedies and regimens contrary to the causative nidāna and aggravated doṣa."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Pramāṇa-like clinical inference: from locus and cause to targeted countermeasure; orderliness in knowledge-to-action.
Application: Use structured reasoning in health decisions: identify cause before intervention; match remedy qualities to counter the imbalance rather than merely suppressing symptoms.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana & Chikitsa—diagnosis and therapeutics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician examines a patient, pointing to body regions indicating doṣa seats, while a palm-leaf chart shows nidāna (causes) and a contrasting list of opposite remedies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, physician with stylized diagnostic gestures, patient seated, symbolic doṣa colors (vāta/pitta/kapha) mapped on body, palm-leaf manuscript with ‘nidāna’ and ‘viparīta’ headings, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, doctor-sage with gold-highlighted manuscript and medicine box, patient respectfully seated, ornate frame, emphasis on ‘opposites’ via paired motifs (cooling fan vs fire, oil vs dryness).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: body map of āśraya points, side panel listing nidāna and viparīta-auṣadha, delicate shading, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hakim-like physician in a study, detailed instruments and jars, patient consultation, annotated folio showing cause-and-contrary remedy, architectural interior with fine patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथैकम् = तथा + एकम्; एकमवशेषयेत् = एकम् + अवशेषयेत्; व्याधेर् = व्याधेः (रेफ-सन्धि); विपरीतमथौषधम् = विपरीतम् + अथ + औषधम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279 (doṣa, nidāna, cikitsā summaries)
FAQs
Ayurvedic clinical method: identify where the doṣa (vāta/pitta/kapha) is lodged (āśraya), determine the disease’s nidāna (cause), and prescribe viparīta (opposing) medicine/therapy to counter it.
It shows the text functioning as a compendium beyond myth—preserving practical medical theory (doṣa, nidāna, auṣadha, therapeutic opposition) alongside ritual, dharma, and other sciences.
By promoting correct diagnosis and non-harmful, appropriate treatment, it supports dharmic conduct (right action and care for life), aligning healing practice with righteous living and reduction of suffering.