Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
कर्करान्तं जलान्तं वा शल्यदोषजिघांसया खानयेद् भूः कुमारीं चेद् विधिना शल्यमुद्धरेत्
karkarāntaṃ jalāntaṃ vā śalyadoṣajighāṃsayā khānayed bhūḥ kumārīṃ ced vidhinā śalyamuddharet
Afin d’écarter les complications dues à un corps étranger fiché (śalya), on doit creuser (ou inciser) le sol jusqu’à atteindre un terrain graveleux ou jusqu’à rencontrer l’eau ; et si la patiente est une jeune vierge, le corps étranger doit être retiré selon la procédure prescrite.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic disciplines, here medical/surgical procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Guidance for locating and extracting a lodged foreign body by exploring until gravelly layer or water is reached; emphasizes proper method especially for a young maiden patient.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śalya-uddhāra: excavation/cutting to gravel or water level; special caution for kumārī","lookup_keywords":["śalya","uddhāra","śalya-doṣa","karkara-anta","kumārī"],"quick_summary":"To remove complications from an embedded foreign body, explore the tract until a diagnostic endpoint (gravelly layer or water) is reached, then extract the śalya by proper surgical procedure, with heightened care in a young maiden."}
Concept: Pramāṇa-based intervention: proceed by observable endpoints and proper method to prevent iatrogenic harm.
Application: In invasive procedures, use staged exploration and clear criteria for depth/extent; apply patient-specific caution (age/sex/vulnerability).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Shalya-tantra / Surgical and wound-management instructions)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician-surgeon carefully explores a wound/tract to locate a foreign body, proceeding until a clear sign (gravelly layer or water seepage) appears, then extracts it with proper instruments; a young maiden patient is treated with modesty and care.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, vaidya with simple surgical instruments, attendants holding lamp and water, patient on a low cot, subtle depiction of exploration with minimal gore, emphasis on careful hands and ritual cleanliness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, physician with ornate but restrained setting, gold highlights on instruments and vessels, patient modestly draped, focus on compassionate clinical act, decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical scene: instruments laid out, stepwise exploration indicated, small inset showing ‘gravel’ and ‘water’ endpoints as diagnostic cues, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed clinic chamber, surgeon seated with instruments, attendants, patient on carpeted platform, naturalistic rendering of tools and posture, discreet depiction of procedure."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शल्यमुद्धरेत् = शल्यम् + उद्धरेत् (म् + उ → मु).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda/Śalya-tantra passages on śalya-lakṣaṇa, śalya-uddhāra, and doṣa from retention; Agni Purana nidāna and nimitta portions connected to śalya prognosis
FAQs
It teaches a Shalya-tantra (Ayurvedic surgical) principle: preventing shalya-doṣa (complications from a retained foreign body) by properly opening/excavating the affected area and extracting the lodged object according to procedure, with special care when the patient is a kumārī (young maiden).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences; this verse exemplifies practical medical knowledge—surgical decision-making and technique—showing the text’s wide scope as a compendium of Puranic-era technical disciplines.
By emphasizing correct, rule-based treatment (vidhi), the verse frames healing as a dharmic duty: relieving suffering and preventing harm (hiṃsā) accrues merit through compassionate, disciplined action aligned with righteous conduct.