Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
घृतं गुडौदनं शेषे रोगाय घृतमण्डकान् लाजान् वा पश्चिमाशायां देवाष्टकमितीरितं
ghṛtaṃ guḍaudanaṃ śeṣe rogāya ghṛtamaṇḍakān lājān vā paścimāśāyāṃ devāṣṭakamitīritaṃ
Pour l’état résiduel (śeṣa), il est prescrit du ghee et du riz cuit avec du jaggery (guḍa) ; et pour la maladie, des gâteaux au ghee (maṇḍaka) ou du riz grillé (lājā). Vers l’ouest, il est dit qu’on doit réciter le « Deva-aṣṭaka » (hymne aux huit divinités).
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dietetic prescription for a lingering/residual condition and general illness, paired with a directional recitation (Deva-aṣṭaka) as supportive ritual therapy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ghṛta–guḍaudana and ghṛta-maṇḍaka/lājā for residual illness; Deva-aṣṭaka westward recitation","lookup_keywords":["ghṛta","guḍaudana","maṇḍaka","lājā","deva-aṣṭaka"],"quick_summary":"For lingering weakness/remaining symptoms, take ghee and jaggery-rice; for illness, use ghee-cakes or parched rice, and recite the Deva-aṣṭaka facing/placed in the western direction as an adjunct."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Healing is supported by both āhāra (diet) and śabda/daiva-upāya (hymn-recitation), integrating bodily and ritual means.
Application: Combine convalescent diet with calm, regular recitation practice to stabilize mind and routine during recovery.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies and dietetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Directional (dik)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer/householder prepares ghee, jaggery-rice, ghee-cakes, and parched rice for a recovering patient; in the background, a person recites the Deva-aṣṭaka oriented toward the west.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, interior healing scene: brass pot of ghṛta, bowl of guḍaudana, plates of maṇḍaka and lājā, patient resting, reciter facing west with palm-leaf manuscript, oil lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold highlights on vessels of ghee and offerings, serene patient, reciter with halo-like aura, directional motif indicating west, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: clearly rendered foods (ghṛta, guḍaudana, maṇḍaka, lājā) with neat arrangement, recitation posture shown, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed kitchen-cum-sickroom, attendants preparing sweet rice with jaggery, small ghee cakes, patient on cot, scholar reciting from manuscript with westward orientation indicated by setting sun"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compounds resolved: गुडौदनम् = गुड-ओदनम्, घृतमण्डकान् = घृत-मण्डकान्, पश्चिमाशायाम् = पश्चिम-आशायाम्, देवाष्टकमितीरितम् = देव-अष्टकम् + इति + ईरितम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda sections on ghṛta uses and pathya-apathya (same khanda context); Agni Purana stotra listings where Deva-aṣṭaka is defined/used (if present in adjacent chapters)
FAQs
It gives a combined therapeutic and ritual prescription: specific dietetic items (ghee, jaggery-rice, ghee-cakes, parched rice) as remedies, and a directional instruction to recite the Deva-aṣṭaka facing/placed in the western quarter.
It illustrates the text’s hallmark blending of disciplines—Ayurvedic-style dietary therapeutics (pathya preparations) alongside ritual procedure (directional recitation and a named hymn), showing practical health guidance embedded within religious praxis.
By pairing wholesome, sattvic remedies with prescribed hymn-recitation in a ritual direction, the verse frames healing as both physical correction (diet) and spiritual purification (mantra/niyama), supporting merit through disciplined practice.