Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 2
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
विंशत्यष्टादशनखाः शीतकालमदाश् च ये दक्षिणञ्चोन्नतन्दन्तं वृंहितं जलदोपमं
viṃśatyaṣṭādaśanakhāḥ śītakālamadāś ca ye dakṣiṇañconnatandantaṃ vṛṃhitaṃ jaladopamaṃ
जिन हाथियों के अट्ठाईस नख (पैरों के नाखून) हों, जो शीतकाल में मद में आते हों, जिनका दाहिना दन्त ऊँचा उठा हो, और जिनकी गर्जना मेघ के समान गम्भीर हो—वे शुभ/श्रेष्ठ माने गए हैं।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Physiognomic/omen-based selection of auspicious elephants using observable markers (nail count, musth seasonality, tusk asymmetry, voice quality) for royal acquisition and husbandry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Auspicious gaja-lakṣaṇa: nails, musth season, tusk, and voice","lookup_keywords":["gaja-lakṣaṇa","twenty-eight nails","musth cold season","right tusk raised","rain-cloud voice"],"quick_summary":"An excellent elephant is characterized by specific conformation and behavioral signs: 28 nails, musth in cold season, raised right tusk, and a deep cloud-like trumpet—used for selection and prognostication."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: external signs correlate with internal vigor and fortune; systematic observation guides practical decisions.
Application: Codify procurement standards for royal stables and veterinary assessment protocols.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Lakshana-shastra (omens & physiognomy of animals)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close observational scene: attendants examine an elephant’s toenails, note the raised right tusk, and listen to its deep trumpet likened to a rain-cloud; cool-season setting implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, elephant in profile with emphasized tusks, attendants counting nails at the feet, stylized monsoon-cloud motif behind to echo the voice simile, cool-season palette, ornamental frame","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly adorned elephant with gold-highlighted tusk and ornaments, attendants at the feet counting nails, cloud motif in background with gold accents, regal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: numbered toenails, arrow pointing to right tusk, small vignette showing cold-season musth, subtle cloud icon near the mouth to indicate deep voice","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic elephant with attendants inspecting feet and tusk, a court scribe recording traits, grey-blue cloud bank in background, fine detailing of textiles and tools"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विंशत्यष्टादशनखाः → विंशति-अष्टादश-नखाः (द्विगु); मदाश् → मदाः; दक्षिणञ्चोन्नतन्दन्तं → दक्षिणम् च उन्नत-दन्तम्; जलदोपमं → जलद-उपमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Adhyāya 286 gaja-lakṣaṇa sequences (subsequent verses likely expand types and defects)
FAQs
It gives gaja-lakṣaṇa: diagnostic traits for identifying a superior/auspicious elephant—nail count, season of musth, tusk-asymmetry, and deep cloud-like trumpeting.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical royal and applied knowledge (elephant selection and omen-based assessment), reflecting the Purana’s wide coverage of statecraft-adjacent sciences and natural observation.
Selecting auspicious, well-marked animals was traditionally linked with prosperity and harm-avoidance for the king/householder; correct selection is treated as dharmically beneficial because it supports orderly, non-harmful governance and ritual propriety.