Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 13
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
स्वच्छमल्पौषधं क्वाथं कषायञ्चोक्तवद्भवेत् अक्षं चूर्णस्य निर्दिष्टं कषायस्य चतुष्पलं
svacchamalpauṣadhaṃ kvāthaṃ kaṣāyañcoktavadbhavet akṣaṃ cūrṇasya nirdiṣṭaṃ kaṣāyasya catuṣpalaṃ
Une décoction claire, bien filtrée, préparée avec une faible quantité de substances médicinales, est appelée kvātha ; et le kaṣāya doit être préparé comme il a été dit précédemment. La mesure prescrite est d’un akṣa de poudre de drogue et de quatre palas de décoction.
Lord Agni (narrating Ayurvedic procedures to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Terminological and metrological clarification: distinguishes kvātha as a clear decoction with small drug quantity; reiterates kaṣāya method; gives standard measures (akṣa of powder; four palas of decoction).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kvātha vs Kaṣāya and standard measures (akṣa, pala)","lookup_keywords":["kvātha definition","kaṣāya method","akṣa pramāṇa","pala pramāṇa","svaccha (clear) decoction"],"quick_summary":"A clear, lightly-drugged decoction is termed kvātha; kaṣāya follows the same preparation rule. Standard measure: one akṣa of powdered drug yields four palas of decoction."}
Concept: Names (saṃjñā) and measures (māna) stabilize practice—terminology and metrology are part of medical knowledge.
Application: Use consistent units (akṣa, pala) to reproduce dosage strength and ensure safe administration.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bhaishajya / Dravya-guna and Kalpana: decoctions and medicinal preparations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A clear, strained decoction in a vessel labeled kvātha; nearby, a measured heap of powdered drug (one akṣa) and a measuring cup showing four palas of finished liquid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; clean, minimal apothecary setup: white cloth strainer, transparent-looking decoction in a bronze cup, labeled measures ‘akṣa’ and ‘catuṣpala’; vaidya demonstrating clarity (svacchatā).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; gold-ornamented measuring vessels; the decoction cup gleams; powdered drug mound presented on a leaf; inscriptions for akṣa and pala; rich decorative framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style; precise instructional still-life: balance scale for akṣa, graduated vessel for four palas, straining cloth; emphasis on clarity and measurement accuracy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; meticulous pharmacist weighing powder on a small scale, pouring decoction into a measured cup; translucent effect for ‘svaccha’ liquid; labeled jars and neat workspace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वच्छमल्पौषधम् → स्वच्छम् अल्प-औषधम्; कषायञ्चोक्तवद्भवेत् → कषायम् च उक्तवत् भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 280 (Kaṣāya-kalpanā; measurement conventions)
FAQs
It gives Ayurvedic pharmaceutical guidance: how to classify/prepare a clear kvātha/kaṣāya decoction and the standard dosage measures—one akṣa of powdered medicine and four palas of the prepared decoction.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical sciences; here it records technical Ayurvedic kalpanā (drug-preparation) and classical weight/volume standards (akṣa, pala), showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge.
By prescribing precise, clean preparation of medicines, it supports dharmic care of the body as a means to sustain sādhana and household duties; purity (svacchatā) and correct measure are treated as part of righteous, beneficial practice.