Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 40
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
शुल्वमौदुम्बरं लौहे तीक्ष्णं कालांयसायसी क्षारः काचो ऽथ चपलो रसः सूतश् च पारदे
śulvamaudumbaraṃ lauhe tīkṣṇaṃ kālāṃyasāyasī kṣāraḥ kāco 'tha capalo rasaḥ sūtaś ca pārade
शुल्व (ताँबा), औदुम्बर-धातु, लौह, तीक्ष्ण (इस्पात), कालायस और आयसी; तथा क्षार, काच; फिर चपल (अभ्रक), रस (पारा) और सूत—ये सब पारद (क्विकसिल्वर) के प्रसंग में गिने जाते हैं।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Identifying and classifying metals/minerals and auxiliaries used in rasashastra—especially substances associated with mercury processing—for alchemical operations and medicinal bhasma/rasa preparations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rasashastra dravya-list associated with pārada: metals, alkali, glass, mica, mercury names","lookup_keywords":["pārada","rasa","sūta","capala","kṣāra-kāca"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates key dhātu and upadravya terms—copper, iron/steels, alkali, glass, mica—and identifies rasa/sūta as mercury-related nomenclature, serving as a glossary for mercury-centric operations."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Rasa-sādhana: transformation through disciplined procedure and correct identification of dravya.
Application: Maintain precise nomenclature of dhātu/upadhātu and auxiliaries to execute safe, repeatable rasakriyā.
Khanda Section: Rasashastra / Dhatu-vidya (Alchemy and Metallurgy)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An alchemical workspace: labeled samples of copper, iron/steel, black iron, alkali, glass, mica; a sealed vessel and a small mercury vial marked ‘pārada/rasa/sūta’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized rasashala with earthen furnaces, bronze vessels, labeled mineral trays, a central mercury flask, bold outlines and earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf accents on vessels and mineral heaps, central mercury container, symmetrical arrangement of dhātu samples, ornate border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical instructional scene with neatly arranged labeled specimens (śulva, lauha, tīkṣṇa, kālāyas, kṣāra, kāca, capala, pārada), soft shading, clear composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed laboratory interior with artisans, crucibles, retorts, mineral jars, fine textures for mica and glass, small caption cartouches for each dravya."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुल्वमौदुम्बरम् = शुल्वम् + औदुम्बरम्; काचो 'थ = काचः + अथ; सूतश् च = सूतः + च; कालांयसायसी read as काल-अयस् + अयसि (sandhi/orthographic contraction in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana rasashastra/dhātu-vidyā passages around 365.40; Agni Purana Ayurveda sections on bhasma/rasa usage (where present)
FAQs
It lists key rasashastra substances—metals (copper, iron/steel), minerals (mica), and processing agents (alkali, glass)—classified in relation to pārada (mercury), indicating the material toolkit used for alchemical/medicinal preparations.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves technical catalogues of materials used in medicine and metallurgy—showing it functions as a compendium that spans practical sciences like mineralogy and alchemical processing.
In puranic framing, correct knowledge of substances used for purification and preparation (śodhana/saṃskāra) supports dharmic healing and ritual purity; mastery of such vidyā is treated as meritorious when applied for righteous, non-harmful aims.