Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 57 — कुम्भाधिवासविधिः
Kumbhādhivāsa-vidhi: Rite of Installing/Consecrating the Ritual Jar
वटोदुम्बरकाश्वत्थांश् चम्पकाशोकश्रीद्रुमान् पलाशार्जुनप्लक्षांस्तु कदम्बवकुलाम्रकान्
vaṭodumbarakāśvatthāṃś campakāśokaśrīdrumān palāśārjunaplakṣāṃstu kadambavakulāmrakān
Le banian, l’udumbara (figuier en grappes) et l’aśvattha (figuier sacré) ; le champaka, l’aśoka et les arbres śrī ; ainsi que le palāśa, l’arjuna et le plakṣa ; de même le kadamba, le vakula et le manguier.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identification and selection of specific trees used as ritual dravyas and as materia medica (bark, flowers, latex, leaves) for formulations and auspicious rites.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ritual and Therapeutic Trees (Vata to Āmra)","lookup_keywords":["vaṭa","udumbara","aśvattha","palāśa","arjuna"],"quick_summary":"A catalog of important trees—many sacred and medicinal—useful for ritual implements and for Ayurvedic dravya selection (bark/flowers/leaves) depending on intended use."}
Concept: Knowledge of dravya (substances) is a practical limb of dharma and healing—nature’s taxonomy supports both ritual purity and wellbeing.
Application: Maintain a curated grove/collection list for temple and household rites; document local names and substitutes to avoid dravya-bhrānti (misidentification).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Dravya-guṇa (Materia Medica: plant and tree listings used in ritual and therapeutics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A botanical procession/list: banyan, cluster fig, peepal, champaka, aśoka, śrī-tree, palāśa, arjuna, plakṣa, kadamba, vakula, and mango—shown as identifiable trees with characteristic leaves/flowers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized sacred grove near a temple: large vaṭa with aerial roots, aśvattha with heart-shaped leaves, udumbara figs, champaka blossoms, aśoka clusters, palāśa orange-red flowers, arjuna riverbank tree, mango with fruits; flat iconic rendering and traditional borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotional ‘vanaspati’ panel: each tree in a framed compartment with gold accents on flowers/fruits, temple backdrop, rich reds/greens, ornate labeling in Devanagari for each species.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style botanical chart: clean, semi-naturalistic trees with labeled parts used (bark/flower/leaf), gentle gradients, instructional composition suitable for dravya identification.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed garden study with multiple tree species, fine leaf and blossom detailing, birds and attendants collecting flowers/bark, elegant margins and calligraphy naming each tree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaṭodumbarakāśvatthāṃś → vaṭa-udumbara-aśvatthān (IAST shows kāśvattha; taken as aśvattha); campakāśokaśrīdrumān → campaka-aśoka-śrīdrumān; palāśārjunaplakṣāṃstu → palāśa-arjuna-plakṣān + tu; kadambavakulāmrakān → kadamba-vakula-āmrakān.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 57 (dravya listings connected to pūjā and snāna rites)
FAQs
It catalogs key vanaspati (tree-dravyas) recognized as auspicious and practically useful—serving as a reference set for selecting plant materials in rituals and in Ayurvedic-style preparations where bark, leaves, flowers, latex, or fruit are prescribed.
By preserving an organized inventory of culturally and medically significant trees, the text functions like a compendium—bridging ritual practice, ecology, and traditional pharmacology (dravya-guṇa), which is characteristic of the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary scope.
Naming and honoring these revered trees supports dharmic practice: such trees are traditionally associated with purity, prosperity, and merit, and their correct selection/use in worship and maintenance is regarded as spiritually beneficial.