Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5

Kalpasāgara (Ocean of Formulations) — Mṛtyuñjaya Preparations and Rasāyana Regimens

Devanagari script

मध्वाज्यशुण्ठीं संसेव्य पलं प्रातः समृद्युजित् बलीपलितजिज्जीवेन्माण्डकीचूर्णदुग्धपाः

Transliteration

madhvājyaśuṇṭhīṃ saṃsevya palaṃ prātaḥ samṛdyujit balīpalitajijjīvenmāṇḍakīcūrṇadugdhapāḥ

Translation

En prenant régulièrement le matin un pala de gingembre sec (śuṇṭhī) mêlé de miel et de ghee, l’homme pourvu de prospérité triomphe des rides et des cheveux blancs et vit avec vigueur ; de même en buvant du lait mêlé de poudre de Māṇḍakī.

Word by Word

• मधु-आज्य-शुण्ठीम्: honey, ghee, and dry ginger (mixture)
• मधु-आज्य-शुण्ठीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शुण्ठी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (मधु च आज्यं च शुण्ठी च) as a mixture

• संसेव्य: having taken/used
• संसेव्य: Purva-kala (पूर्वकाल/gerundial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + √सेव् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); 'having used/taken'

• पलम्: one pala (dose)
• पलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रातः: in the morning
• प्रातः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रातः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• समृद्धि-उजित्: promoting prosperity/strength
• समृद्धि-उजित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + उजित्/उजित् (कृदन्त; √उज्/√उजित्? as 'increasing/strengthening', traditional reading uncertain)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-समास; अर्थतः 'समृद्धिं जनयन्/वर्धयन्'

• बली-पलित-जित्: conqueror of wrinkles and grey hair
• बली-पलित-जित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बली (प्रातिपदिक) + पलित (प्रातिपदिक) + जित् (कृदन्त; √जि धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष; 'जित्' (victor)

• जिजीवेत्: should live (long)
• जिजीवेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जीव् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• माण्डकी-चूर्ण-दुग्ध-पाः: those who drink milk with māṇḍakī-powder
• माण्डकी-चूर्ण-दुग्ध-पाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माण्डकी (प्रातिपदिक) + चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + दुग्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + पा (कृदन्त; √पा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (पाठे -पाः); उपपद-समास; 'पा' = क्विप्/ण्वुलादि-प्रत्ययान्त 'drinker'

Speaker

Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Morning rasāyana routine: dry ginger with honey and ghee to counter aging signs (wrinkles/grey hair) and promote vigor; alternative/adjunct: Māṇḍakī powder with milk.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Śuṇṭhī–madhu–ājya prātaḥ-sevana for jarā-nāśa; Māṇḍakī-cūrṇa kṣīrapāna","lookup_keywords":["śuṇṭhī","madhu-ājya","bali-palita","jarā-nāśaka","māṇḍakī"],"quick_summary":"A daily morning intake of one pala of dry ginger mixed with honey and ghee is taught as anti-aging and strength-promoting. Milk taken with Māṇḍakī powder is given as a supportive vitality measure."}

Ayurveda Layer

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-abhyāsa (daily disciplined practice) as the engine of transformation (vitality/aging resistance).

Application: Treat healthspan as a routine: fixed time (morning), fixed measure (pala), and compatible carriers (honey/ghee/milk).

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasayana / Jarā-nāśaka—anti-aging and vitality formulations)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At dawn, a person takes a measured portion of dry ginger mixed with honey and ghee; nearby, milk is prepared with Māṇḍakī powder, symbolizing anti-aging vitality.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sunrise backdrop, figure seated in calm posture holding a small bowl of honey-ghee-ginger, stylized herbs, palm-leaf manuscript noting 'balī-palita-jit'.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf glow around sunrise and vessels, rich depiction of ghee pot and honey jar, central figure in auspicious posture, longevity motifs (kalasha, creepers).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional still-life: measured pala weight, ginger slices/powder, honey and ghee, and a second cup of milk with Māṇḍakī, fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, morning courtyard, attendant presenting a small dish of ginger-honey-ghee, another preparing milk with powdered herb, detailed textiles and utensils."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: मध्वाज्यशुण्ठीं = मधु + आज्य + शुण्ठीम्. माण्डकीचूर्णदुग्धपाः = माण्डकी + चूर्ण + दुग्ध + पाः. (पाठे) जिज्जीवेत् = जिजीवेत् (द्वित्व-प्रभाव/लिप्यन्तर).

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda-khaṇḍa: rasāyana and jarā-hara yogas; Agni Purana Ayurveda-khaṇḍa: pathya for vātaja decline

Characters & Entities

• Agni Purana
• Ayurveda
• Madhu (honey)
• Ājya (ghee)
• Śuṇṭhī (dry ginger)
• Māṇḍakī (drug-name)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

Ayurvedic Rasāyana practice: a measured morning dose (one pala) of śuṇṭhī taken with honey and ghee, and a milk-based intake of Māṇḍakī powder, aimed at rejuvenation (reducing wrinkles/grey hair) and supporting longevity.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

It shows the text’s practical, technical coverage beyond theology—preserving applied medical knowledge (Ayurveda/Rasāyana) with dosage, timing, and vehicle (anupāna like milk), characteristic of the Agni Purana’s compendium style.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

While framed as medical guidance, such Rasāyana disciplines are traditionally linked with sustaining the body for dharma-practice—supporting longevity and vigor so one can continue vows, worship, study, and meritorious acts with steadiness.