Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 53
मृतसञ्जीवनीकरसिद्धयोगः (Mṛtasañjīvanī-kara Siddha-yogaḥ) — Perfected Formulations for Revivification and Disease-Conquest
गण्डमालापहं तैलमभ्यङ्गात् गलगण्डनुत् शटीकुनागबलयक्वाथः क्षीररसे युतम्
gaṇḍamālāpahaṃ tailamabhyaṅgāt galagaṇḍanut śaṭīkunāgabalayakvāthaḥ kṣīrarase yutam
इस तेल की मालिश से गंडमाला और गलगंड (घेघा) रोग नष्ट होते हैं। शटी, कुनाग और बला का काढ़ा दूध या रस के साथ लेना चाहिए।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Therapy for glandular swellings (gaṇḍamālā) and goitre (galagaṇḍa) using medicated oil massage and a milk-based decoction adjunct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaṇḍamālāpaha Abhyaṅga Taila and Śaṭī–Kunāga–Balā Kṣīra-yukta Kvātha","lookup_keywords":["gandamala","galaganda","taila-abhyanga","shati","bala-kshira"],"quick_summary":"A medicated oil applied by massage is stated to remove scrofula and relieve goitre; additionally, a decoction of śaṭī, kunāga, and balā combined with milk-essence is prescribed as a supportive preparation."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Snehana (oleation) as a therapeutic modality; combining bṛṃhaṇa (nourishing milk adjunct) with kapha-targeting herbs for neck swellings.
Application: Use touch-based therapy (massage with medicated oil) alongside internal/adjunct preparations to address chronic glandular conditions.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Bhaisajya-kalpa: medicinal oils and decoctions)
Primary Rasa: Samanya
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A patient with neck swelling receives gentle oil massage from a vaidya; nearby, a pot of decoction simmering with śaṭī, kunāga, and balā, and a bowl of milk-essence ready to be mixed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized neck-therapy scene with abhyaṅga; warm tones; medicinal plants arranged decoratively; calm, compassionate clinic setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; central massage scene with gold-highlighted oil vessel; rich textiles; side vignette of decoction pot and milk bowl; ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clear instructional depiction of applying taila to neck region; inset showing preparation of kvātha and mixing with kṣīra-rasa; fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; physician applying oil to patient’s neck; attendants preparing herbal decoction; detailed botanical rendering of śaṭī and balā; refined interior architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṇḍamālāpahaṃ = gaṇḍamālā-apaham; tailamabhyaṅgāt = tailam abhyaṅgāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 284 (śotha/gaṇḍa/galagaṇḍa and taila-kalpanā context)
FAQs
Ayurvedic therapeutics: it prescribes medicated oil application via abhyanga (massage) for gaṇḍamālā (scrofula) and galagaṇḍa (goitre), and indicates a specific herbal decoction (śaṭī–kunāga–bala) to be combined with milk-extract.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving practical Ayurvedic pharmacy (kvātha preparation, anupāna/vehicle like milk, and external therapy through oil massage) alongside other sciences.
While primarily medical, such Purāṇic prescriptions are traditionally treated as dharmic welfare-knowledge (hitopadeśa): preserving health supports one’s capacity for daily duties, ritual practice, and disciplined living.