Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 6
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
गवां श्वासात् पवित्रा भूः स्पर्शनात्किल्विषक्षयः गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिः कुशोदकम्
gavāṃ śvāsāt pavitrā bhūḥ sparśanātkilviṣakṣayaḥ gomūtraṃ gomayaṃ kṣīraṃ dadhi sarpiḥ kuśodakam
Par le souffle des vaches, la terre est purifiée; par leur contact, les péchés sont détruits. De même sont purifiants l’urine de vache, la bouse de vache, le lait, le caillé, le ghee et l’eau sanctifiée par l’herbe kuśa.
Lord Agni (Agni Purana’s primary narrator, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Purification practice: recognizing cows and cow-products (plus kuśa-sanctified water) as pavitra substances for śauca and prāyaścitta contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pavitra-dravya: gau-śvāsa, sparśa, and pañcagavya with kuśodaka","lookup_keywords":["shauca","pavitra","panchagavya","kusodaka","prayascitta"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists purifiers: the cow’s breath and touch, and substances like cow-urine, dung, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-sanctified water—used for cleansing and expiation."}
Concept: Śauca as both inner and outer purification: contact with the cow and specified substances is held to remove pāpa/kilbiṣa and restore ritual fitness.
Application: In prāyaścitta/ritual contexts, employ recognized pavitra-dravyas with disciplined conduct; pair symbolic purification with tangible cleanliness and ethical correction.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Śauca (Purification rites; Pavitratā of cow-products)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharma
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A purification rite: kuśa grass placed in a water vessel (kuśodaka), alongside vessels of milk, curd, ghee, gomūtra, and gomaya; a cow nearby symbolizing purifying breath and touch; a practitioner performing śauca.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard with cow at side, priest holding kuśa and sprinkling kuśodaka, arranged pañcagavya vessels, warm earthy palette, emphasis on sanctity and cleanliness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central kalasha with kuśa and gold highlights, neatly arranged pañcagavya containers, cow adorned with gold ornaments, priest performing sprinkling, luminous sacred atmosphere.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear stepwise depiction: kuśa inserted into water, sprinkling for śauca, labeled vessels of pañcagavya, calm instructional composition with fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined ritual scene with detailed vessels and textiles, cow standing quietly, practitioner sprinkling sanctified water, architectural backdrop of a household shrine area."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्पर्शनात्किल्विषक्षयः = स्पर्शनात् + किल्विष-क्षयः; कुशोदकम् = कुश + उदकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Śauca and prāyaścitta chapters; Agni Purana: Bhaiṣajya/rakṣā lists involving pañcagavya
FAQs
It teaches śauca/prāyaścitta praxis: purification through contact with cows and through specific purifying substances—gomūtra, gomaya, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-sanctified water—commonly aligned with pañcagavya-based cleansing.
Beyond mythology, it records applied dharma-ritual technology: concrete materials and methods used for impurity-removal and expiation, showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-like coverage of religious law, domestic rites, and purification protocols.
It frames purity as karmically effective: association with cows and prescribed purifiers is said to diminish kilviṣa (sin/defilement), restoring ritual fitness and supporting meritorious religious practice.