Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 16
Bala-graha-hara Bāla-tantram (बालग्रहहर बालतन्त्रम्) — Pediatric protection and graha-affliction management
उद्वेजनोर्ध्वनिःश्वासः स्वमुष्टिद्वयखादनं रक्तचन्दनकुष्ठाद्यैर् धूपयेल्लेपयेच्छिशुं
udvejanordhvaniḥśvāsaḥ svamuṣṭidvayakhādanaṃ raktacandanakuṣṭhādyair dhūpayellepayecchiśuṃ
जब शिशु में चौंक-भय, ऊपर की ओर कठिन श्वास, और अपनी दोनों मुट्ठियों को चबाने की आदत दिखाई दे, तब लाल चंदन, कुष्ठ आदि द्रव्यों से धूप देकर और लेप लगाकर शिशु का उपचार करना चाहिए।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clinical recognition of infant distress-patterns (startle, labored upward breathing, fist-biting) and application of dhūpana (fumigation) plus lepa (topical unguent) using aromatic/antimicrobial dravyas like rakta-candana and kuṣṭha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhūpana–lepa for infant startle, ūrdhva-niḥśvāsa, and fist-biting","lookup_keywords":["udvejana","ūrdhva-niḥśvāsa","svamuṣṭi-dvaya-khādana","rakta-candana","kuṣṭha dhūpa lepa"],"quick_summary":"When specific infant signs appear, the text directs fumigation and topical application using red sandalwood, kuṣṭha, and allied substances to calm and protect the child."}
Concept: Cikitsā by lakṣaṇa: symptom-led intervention using external therapies (dhūpa/lepa) suited to pediatric fragility.
Application: Treat observable patterns promptly with mild external measures before escalation; emphasizes careful observation in bāla-tantra.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bala-roga / Graha-roga remedies and fumigation-unction therapies)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An infant bites both fists and startles; a caregiver and vaidya prepare a fragrant fumigation and a red-tinted paste from rakta-candana and kuṣṭha, applying it gently while smoke wafts nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, warm red-brown palette, caregiver holding infant, brazier with aromatic smoke, bowls of red sandalwood paste and kuṣṭha, stylized smoke curls, calm protective ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central infant and caregiver, gold-highlighted vessels, vivid red paste, ornate border, auspicious protective symbols, gentle application of lepa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical-ritual scene: ingredients displayed (rakta-candana, kuṣṭha), stepwise depiction of dhūpana then lepa, fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor scene with physician mixing paste on stone slab, detailed textiles, subtle smoke from incense, infant biting fists, naturalistic expressions of concern and care."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: udvejanordhvaniḥśvāsaḥ = उद्वेजन-ऊर्ध्व-निःश्वासः; kuṣṭhādyaiḥ = कुष्ठ-आद्यैः; dhūpayellepayecchiśuṃ = धूपयेत् + लेपयेत् + शिशुम् (t/d assimilation in euphony).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 298 (dhūpana/lepa dravyas for bāla-graha)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Ayurvedic protocol—dhūpana (medicinal fumigation) and lepa (topical paste)—for infant symptoms like agitation, abnormal breathing, and fist-biting, using raktacandana, kuṣṭha, and related drugs.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied medical guidance (pediatric symptom-recognition and drug-application methods), showing its wide coverage of health sciences within a Purāṇic framework.
By protecting and stabilizing a vulnerable child through purifying smoke and medicinal application, the act is treated as a safeguarding, cleansing measure that supports well-being and reduces harmful influences, aligning care-giving with dharmic merit.