Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
शैलेयन्तगरं क्रान्तां चोलङ्कर्पूरमेव च मांसीं सुराञ्च कुष्ठञ्च स्नानद्रव्याणि निर्दिशेत्
śaileyantagaraṃ krāntāṃ colaṅkarpūrameva ca māṃsīṃ surāñca kuṣṭhañca snānadravyāṇi nirdiśet
On prescrira comme substances de bain : śaileya, tagara, krāntā, cola, camphre, māṃsī, surā et kuṣṭha.
Lord Agni (teaching to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selecting aromatic and cleansing snāna-dravya (bathing substances) for cosmetic purification, deodorization, and skin comfort.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Snāna-dravya list: śaileya, tagara, krāntā, cola, karpūra, māṃsī, surā, kuṣṭha","lookup_keywords":["snāna-dravya","karpūra","tagara","māṃsī","kuṣṭha"],"quick_summary":"A set of fragrant botanicals and substances is prescribed for medicated bathing to cleanse, perfume, and refresh the body."}
Concept: Śauca (purificatory regimen) supported by dravya-guṇa selection for the body’s external care.
Application: Daily/occasional medicated bathing as part of hygiene, social ritual, and therapeutic skin-care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Snāna-dravya / Cosmetic & Purificatory Substances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tray of aromatic powders and herbs—camphor, tagara, māṃsī, kuṣṭha—prepared beside a bathing vessel for a perfumed, cleansing bath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized herb bundles and white camphor crystals near a brass water pot; serene bath-house setting, decorative lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; ornate bathing vessel with gold highlights, herb bowls arranged symmetrically, rich colors, emphasis on luxury and purity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; neat instructional still-life of labeled snāna-dravya, fine brushwork, soft gradients, practical composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; palace hammam-like scene, attendants present aromatic bowls, detailed textiles and vessels, naturalistic botanicals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaileyantagaraṃ → śaileya-antagaraṃ; colaṅkarpūram eva → colaṅ-karpūram eva; surāñca → surām ca; kuṣṭhañca → kuṣṭham ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Snāna-dravya section)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic-ritual prescription of snāna-dravya—specific aromatic and medicinal substances (e.g., tagara, karpūra, māṃsī, kuṣṭha) to be used for bathing as cleansing and fragrancing agents.
Beyond theology, it catalogs practical health-and-hygiene knowledge—an applied list of botanicals/aromatics used in daily and ritual life—showing the Purana’s coverage of Ayurveda, cosmetics, and purification practices.
Using prescribed bathing substances supports śauca (purity) and prepares the body for worship and rites; such disciplined cleanliness is traditionally linked with merit (puṇya) and improved ritual efficacy.