Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
Aghīrāstra-ādi-Śānti-kalpaḥ
Rite for Pacification of Aghora-Astra and Other Weapons
द्विपदादेर्यदा मारि लक्षार्धाच्च तिलाज्यतः हस्तिमारीप्रशान्त्यर्थं करिणीदन्तवर्धने
dvipadāderyadā māri lakṣārdhācca tilājyataḥ hastimārīpraśāntyarthaṃ kariṇīdantavardhane
जब द्विपद आदि प्राणियों में महामारी (मारी) उत्पन्न हो, तब तिल और घृत सहित आधा लक्ष की मात्रा से उपचार/प्रयोग करना चाहिए—यह हस्ति-मारी की शान्ति तथा करिणी (हथिनी) के दाँतों की वृद्धि-बल के लिए है।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Veterinary and epidemic-response remedy for māri affecting bipeds and other beings, specifically aimed at pacifying elephant-plague and supporting tusk growth/strength in a female elephant; implies large-scale preparation/administration with tila and ghṛta.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Māri-śamana and Hasti-māri remedy with tila-ghṛta (veterinary)","lookup_keywords":["māri","hasti-māri","paśu-cikitsā","tila-ghṛta","lakṣā-ardha"],"quick_summary":"In epidemic-like affliction among beings, a large-quantity preparation involving sesame and ghee is prescribed, particularly to pacify elephant-plague and to promote/strengthen tusk development in a female elephant."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Care of dependent beings (paśu-rakṣā) as dharma and statecraft; integrating ritual and medicine in crisis
Application: During outbreaks, combine compassionate care, practical containment, and community rites to stabilize morale and protect livelihoods.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Pashu-Chikitsa (Veterinary Remedies and Protective Rites)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal elephant stable during an outbreak: caretakers preparing a large pot of sesame and ghee mixture; a female elephant being tended, with emphasis on tusks; a priest performs a protective rite nearby to pacify māri.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, grand elephant in profile, attendants with brass vessels of ghṛta and sesame, stable pillars, priest with small fire and offerings, earthy tones, compassionate mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, majestic female elephant adorned, gold-leaf accents on ornaments and ritual vessels, attendants offering sesame-ghṛta preparation, auspicious framing suggesting protection and recovery","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical veterinary scene: measured ingredients (tila, ghṛta) shown clearly, preparation pot, caretaker administering, stable hygiene elements, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed royal stable with elephants and mahouts, physicians preparing sesame-ghee mixture, careful attention to textiles and vessels, subtle depiction of illness and care"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विपदादेर्यदा → द्विपद-आदेः + यदा; लक्षार्धाच्च → लक्षा-अर्धात् + च; तिलाज्यतः → तिल-अज्यतः; हस्तिमारीप्रशान्त्यर्थं → हस्ति-मारी-प्रशान्ति-अर्थम्; करिणीदन्तवर्धने → करिणी-दन्त-वर्धने
Related Themes: Agni Purana paśu-cikitsā and bhaiṣajya-kalpa materials in the 300s; Agni Purana śānti-prayoga entries using tila-ghṛta in adjacent verses
FAQs
It gives a practical veterinary/medical instruction: a quantified preparation involving sesame (tila) and ghee (ājya), prescribed to pacify elephant-epidemic (hasti-māri) and to support tusk growth in a female elephant (kariṇī).
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge—animal health management and epidemic-affliction remedies—showing the text’s broad coverage of Ayurveda-like therapeutics and pragmatic guidance for society’s livelihood assets (such as elephants).
By prescribing a remedy aimed at praśānti (pacification) of māri, the verse frames disease-control as a dharmic act of protection and welfare, reducing harm to living beings and supporting orderly life through remedial, purificatory practice.