Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 13
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
स्वच्छमल्पौषधं क्वाथं कषायञ्चोक्तवद्भवेत् अक्षं चूर्णस्य निर्दिष्टं कषायस्य चतुष्पलं
svacchamalpauṣadhaṃ kvāthaṃ kaṣāyañcoktavadbhavet akṣaṃ cūrṇasya nirdiṣṭaṃ kaṣāyasya catuṣpalaṃ
અલ્પ ઔષધદ્રવ્યથી બનાવેલો સ્વચ્છ (ગાળેલો) ક્વાથ ‘ક્વાથ’ કહેવાય; અને કષાય પણ પૂર્વોક્ત વિધિ મુજબ જ બને. ચૂર્ણનું પ્રમાણ એક અક્ષ નિર્દિષ્ટ છે અને કષાયનું પ્રમાણ ચાર પલ છે.
Lord Agni (narrating Ayurvedic procedures to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Terminological and metrological clarification: distinguishes kvātha as a clear decoction with small drug quantity; reiterates kaṣāya method; gives standard measures (akṣa of powder; four palas of decoction).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kvātha vs Kaṣāya and standard measures (akṣa, pala)","lookup_keywords":["kvātha definition","kaṣāya method","akṣa pramāṇa","pala pramāṇa","svaccha (clear) decoction"],"quick_summary":"A clear, lightly-drugged decoction is termed kvātha; kaṣāya follows the same preparation rule. Standard measure: one akṣa of powdered drug yields four palas of decoction."}
Concept: Names (saṃjñā) and measures (māna) stabilize practice—terminology and metrology are part of medical knowledge.
Application: Use consistent units (akṣa, pala) to reproduce dosage strength and ensure safe administration.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bhaishajya / Dravya-guna and Kalpana: decoctions and medicinal preparations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A clear, strained decoction in a vessel labeled kvātha; nearby, a measured heap of powdered drug (one akṣa) and a measuring cup showing four palas of finished liquid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; clean, minimal apothecary setup: white cloth strainer, transparent-looking decoction in a bronze cup, labeled measures ‘akṣa’ and ‘catuṣpala’; vaidya demonstrating clarity (svacchatā).","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; gold-ornamented measuring vessels; the decoction cup gleams; powdered drug mound presented on a leaf; inscriptions for akṣa and pala; rich decorative framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style; precise instructional still-life: balance scale for akṣa, graduated vessel for four palas, straining cloth; emphasis on clarity and measurement accuracy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; meticulous pharmacist weighing powder on a small scale, pouring decoction into a measured cup; translucent effect for ‘svaccha’ liquid; labeled jars and neat workspace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वच्छमल्पौषधम् → स्वच्छम् अल्प-औषधम्; कषायञ्चोक्तवद्भवेत् → कषायम् च उक्तवत् भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 280 (Kaṣāya-kalpanā; measurement conventions)
FAQs
It gives Ayurvedic pharmaceutical guidance: how to classify/prepare a clear kvātha/kaṣāya decoction and the standard dosage measures—one akṣa of powdered medicine and four palas of the prepared decoction.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical sciences; here it records technical Ayurvedic kalpanā (drug-preparation) and classical weight/volume standards (akṣa, pala), showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge.
By prescribing precise, clean preparation of medicines, it supports dharmic care of the body as a means to sustain sādhana and household duties; purity (svacchatā) and correct measure are treated as part of righteous, beneficial practice.