Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 25
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
यवश् चैव तथैवेक्षुर्नागानां बलवर्धनः नागानां यवसं शुष्कं तथा धातुप्रकोपणं
yavaś caiva tathaivekṣurnāgānāṃ balavardhanaḥ nāgānāṃ yavasaṃ śuṣkaṃ tathā dhātuprakopaṇaṃ
L’orge (yava) et, de même, la canne à sucre (ikṣu) accroissent la vigueur des nāga. Mais, pour les nāga, le fourrage sec (yavasa) aggrave aussi les dhātu (constituants du corps) et suscite le désordre.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Guide feeding regimens for nāgas/elephants (veterinary strengthening) by selecting strength-promoting foods and avoiding drying fodder that deranges dhātus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nāga-bala-vardhana āhāra and dhātu-prakopa caution","lookup_keywords":["nāga","balavardhana","yava","ikṣu","yavaśa","dhātu-prakopa"],"quick_summary":"Barley and sugarcane are stated to increase strength in nāgas, while dry fodder aggravates dhātus and can provoke disorder."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Pathya-apathya even in veterinary care; dryness as a cause of vāta/dhātu disturbance.
Application: Design stable/forest-camp feeding protocols for war/royal animals to maintain strength and prevent systemic imbalance.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Veterinary / Hasty- & Naga-chikitsa: dietetics and strengthening regimens)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A caretaker feeds a large nāga/elephant with barley and sugarcane while setting aside dry hay labeled as harmful for dhātu balance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, majestic elephant-like nāga being offered sugarcane stalks, attendant holding barley feed, dry hay bundle shown as avoided, flat stylized foliage backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, royal stable scene with elephant, ornate harness, attendant presenting sugarcane, gold highlights on vessels and ornaments, clear contrast with discarded dry fodder","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional stable tableau with labeled feeds (yava, ikṣu, śuṣka-yavasa), calm composition, fine detailing of fodder textures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly elephant-care scene with precise rendering of sugarcane and grain, attendants in patterned garments, dry hay depicted to the side as cautionary"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यवश् चैव = यवः + च + एव; तथैवेक्षुः = तथा + एव + इक्षुः; इक्षुर्नागानाम् = इक्षुः + नागानाम्; धातुप्रकोपणम् = धातु + प्रकोपणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 286 (Nāga/Hasti-cikitsā and āhāra notes nearby)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dietetics: it identifies strength-promoting feeds (barley, sugarcane) and a contraindicated feed (dry fodder) that aggravates dhātus, implying a practical regimen for maintaining vitality and preventing disorder.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning beyond mythology by preserving applied medical and husbandry knowledge—specific nutritional do’s and don’ts framed in Ayurvedic physiology (dhātu-prakopa).
By promoting non-harm and proper care through correct feeding, the instruction aligns with dharma (responsible stewardship), reducing suffering and supporting sattvic conduct that is traditionally regarded as merit-producing.