Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 9
Chapter 283 — Mantras as Medicine (मन्त्ररूपौषधकथनम्)
दामोदरो बन्धहरः पुष्कराक्षो ऽक्षिरोगनुत् हृषीकेशो भयहरो जपेदौषधकर्मणि
dāmodaro bandhaharaḥ puṣkarākṣo 'kṣiroganut hṛṣīkeśo bhayaharo japedauṣadhakarmaṇi
औषध-क्रिया के समय जप करे—दामोदर (बंधन-हर), पुष्कराक्ष (कमल-नेत्र), नेत्र-रोग-नाशक, और हृषीकेश (इन्द्रियों के स्वामी), भय-हर।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-supported chikitsā: recitation of specific Viṣṇu-nāmas during medicinal preparation/administration, especially for eye disorders and fear reduction in patients.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Auṣadha-karman Nāma-japa (Dāmodara–Puṣkarākṣa–Hṛṣīkeśa) with Akṣi-roga-śamana","lookup_keywords":["auṣadha-karman","akṣi-roga","puṣkarākṣa","dāmodara","hṛṣīkeśa"],"quick_summary":"During medical procedures, the practitioner/patient is instructed to recite selected Hari-names. Puṣkarākṣa is explicitly linked with alleviating eye-diseases, while Hṛṣīkeśa dispels fear and steadies the senses."}
Concept: Integration of daiva-vyapāśraya (mantra/faith-based support) with practical healing acts; mind-sense steadiness aids therapeutic success.
Application: Use nāma-japa as a calming adjunct during procedures (especially ocular), aligning repetition with slow breathing to reduce fear and sensory agitation.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Mantra-prayoga for Chikitsa / Aushadha-karman)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vaidya preparing medicine while softly reciting Viṣṇu-nāmas; a patient receiving eye-treatment (anjana/eye wash implied) with Puṣkarākṣa visualized as lotus-eyed Viṣṇu above, calming the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, traditional vaidya with herbal bowl and mortar, patient seated, lotus-eyed Viṣṇu (Puṣkarākṣa) in a luminous cloud, warm earthy palette, temple-clinic ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold haloed Puṣkarākṣa prominently, below a healer administering eye remedy, ornate vessels, rich textiles, embossed gold detailing around the deity’s eyes","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise instructional depiction of a medical procedure setting, labeled nāmas on a palm-leaf, gentle colors, emphasis on calm faces and controlled breath","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed apothecary scene with jars and herbs, physician reciting, patient with eye bandage, ethereal Viṣṇu apparition with lotus eyes, fine borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Anandabhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣkarākṣo 'kṣiroganut → puṣkarākṣaḥ + akṣiroganut; japedauṣadhakarmaṇi → japet + auṣadhakarmaṇi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279-281 (Ayurveda/auṣadha topics in many recensions); Agni Purana 283 (mantra-nāma prayoga sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a mantra-japa application: reciting specific Viṣṇu epithets as part of auṣadha-karman (medicinal procedures), including a targeted intent of alleviating eye-diseases and fear.
It shows the text’s applied, cross-disciplinary method—integrating Ayurvedic healing practice with mantra-vidhi (ritual recitation), demonstrating how medicine, devotion, and practical therapy are taught together.
The japa invokes Viṣṇu as remover of bondage and fear, framing healing as both physical remedy and spiritual protection—seeking purification, reassurance, and auspicious efficacy alongside treatment.