Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
सहदेवीं कुमारीं च सिंहीं व्याघ्रीं तथामृतां विष्णुपर्णीं शतशिवां वचां दिव्यौषधीर्न्यसेत्
sahadevīṃ kumārīṃ ca siṃhīṃ vyāghrīṃ tathāmṛtāṃ viṣṇuparṇīṃ śataśivāṃ vacāṃ divyauṣadhīrnyaset
Qu’on dispose les plantes médicinales divines : sahadevī, kumārī (aloès), siṃhī, vyāghrī, amṛtā (guḍūcī), viṣṇuparṇī, śataśivā et vacā (acore odorant).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ritual-protective placement (nyāsa) of specific medicinal herbs as efficacious dravyas for śānti, rakṣā, and therapeutic support; also functions as a materia-medica mnemonic list.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Divyauṣadhi-nyāsa: sahadevī–kumārī–guḍūcī–vacā etc.","lookup_keywords":["divyauṣadhi","sahadevī","kumārī","amṛtā (guḍūcī)","viṣṇuparṇī","vacā"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists ‘divine’ medicinal herbs to be placed/installed in a ritual setting, indicating a protective-therapeutic repertoire and preserving a compact dravyaguṇa catalogue."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Dravya-śakti: substances possess functional potency (auṣadha-guṇa) that can be harnessed both therapeutically and ritually for protection and pacification.
Application: Integrate hygienic handling and correct sequencing of dravyas in śānti rites; medically, treat the list as a prompt for selecting appropriate herbs by guṇa/karma rather than as a one-size prescription.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bheshaja-yoga / Aushadhi-prayoga in ritual-protective context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual tray or altar with eight labeled herbs arranged neatly; a priest placing them as protective dravyas, with small botanical details (aloe leaves, guduchi vine, sweet-flag rhizome).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized botanicals arranged on a ritual platform, priest performing nyāsa, bold outlines, sacred lamp, each herb rendered iconically (aloe rosette, guduchi vine), temple aesthetic.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-worked ritual vessels, herbs arranged like auspicious emblems, priest in ornate attire, embossed highlights on leaves and containers, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-botanical accuracy, labeled herb groupings, instructional clarity of placement order, soft colors and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic herb specimens on a carpeted platform, attentive priest placing them, fine detailing of leaves/rhizomes, delicate borders and calligraphy cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tathāmṛtām = tathā + amṛtām; divyauṣadhīrnyaset = divya-auṣadhīḥ + nyaset (visarga → r before n).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (auṣadhi-nyāsa and śānti-dravya sections)
FAQs
It teaches an aushadhi-prayoga: the prescribed placement/installation (nyāsa) of specific Ayurvedic herbs as a protective and beneficial medicinal setup.
By cataloging practical materia medica (named herbs) and their procedural use (nyaset), it shows the Agni Purana integrating Ayurveda and applied ritual-technology alongside other disciplines.
The act of placing ‘divine’ herbs frames healing and protection as dharmic practice—aligning bodily well-being with ritual purity and auspicious safeguarding.