Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 58
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
हेमताम्रमयं रक्तं राजतञ्च सकांस्यकं शीसकञ्चेति लोहानि हरितालं मनःशिला
hematāmramayaṃ raktaṃ rājatañca sakāṃsyakaṃ śīsakañceti lohāni haritālaṃ manaḥśilā
Or, cuivre, cuivre rouge, argent, métal de cloche (bell-metal) et plomb : tels sont les métaux ; ainsi que haritāla (orpiment) et manaḥśilā (réalgar).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Reference list for rasashastra: identifying metals/minerals used in bhasma, dhatu-samskara, and alchemical/iatrochemical preparations (with strict purification).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rasashastra: loha-varga and upa-rasa (haritāla, manaḥśilā)","lookup_keywords":["hema","tamra","rajata","sisa","haritala"],"quick_summary":"Lists principal metals (gold, copper, silver, bell-metal, lead) and mineral substances (orpiment, realgar) used in rasashastra. Serves as a taxonomy for selecting substances requiring śodhana and māraṇa before medicinal use."}
Concept: Material classification (dhātu/loha and mineral poisons) is prerequisite to safe transformative processing.
Application: Use as a checklist in rasa pharmacy inventories and in teaching the loha/upa-rasa categories.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Rasashastra (metals and minerals used in medicinal and alchemical preparations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rasashastra workshop: crucibles, furnace, metal ingots (gold, copper, silver, lead), bell-metal vessel, and yellow-red mineral chunks (orpiment, realgar) laid out for classification before purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, alchemical furnace (kūpī/koṣṭhī) stylized, metals and minerals arranged, practitioner in traditional attire, warm ochre palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gleaming metal ingots with gold highlights, ornate workshop altar-like setup, gold leaf emphasizing hema and rājata, ritual lamps beside crucibles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like scene: labeled metals and minerals, practitioner demonstrating śodhana steps near a small furnace, clean lines and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed metallurgical atelier with assistants, tongs and crucibles, realistic textures of metals and mineral pigments, architectural workshop background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजतञ्च = राजतम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च). शीसकञ्चेति = शीसकम् + च + इति (म्+च→ञ्च; च+इति retained).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (Rasashastra/Metals section)
FAQs
It enumerates key metallic and mineral substances (dhātu and mineral drugs like haritāla and manaḥśilā) used as a material classification for Ayurvedic/Rasashastra formulations.
By cataloging practical materia medica—metals and arsenical minerals—this chapter shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that preserves technical knowledge alongside theology, ritual, and dharma.
In the Purāṇic frame, correct knowledge of substances supports proper, non-harmful practice and disciplined living; such right application is treated as a form of dharmic conduct that aids purification through regulated, informed action.