Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 340 — नृत्यादावङ्गकर्मनिरूपणम्
Explanation of Bodily Actions in Dance and Performance
सूच्यास्यः पद्मकोषो हि शिराः समृगशीर्षकाः कांमूलकालपद्मौ* च चतुरभ्रमरौ तथा
sūcyāsyaḥ padmakoṣo hi śirāḥ samṛgaśīrṣakāḥ kāṃmūlakālapadmau* ca caturabhramarau tathā
‘सूच्यास्य’ नामक यंत्र पद्मकोष (कमल-कली) के आकार का होता है; उसका शीर्ष मृगशीर्ष के समान कहा गया है। उसका मूल कमल-सदृश है और वह चार भ्रमर-वत् घुमावों वाला भी वर्णित है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s usual frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Design/recognition of a Śālākya surgical instrument (netra/śira-related), ensuring correct shape for safe probing/incision and minimizing tissue trauma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Śālākya-śastra-lakṣaṇa: Sūcyāsya-yantra (needle-mouthed instrument)","lookup_keywords":["Sūcyāsya","śālākya-śastra","padmakośa","mṛgaśīrṣa","bhramara"],"quick_summary":"Defines the morphology of the Sūcyāsya instrument—lotus-bud body, deer-head-like tip, lotus-like base, and four bee-like turns—so the practitioner can identify or fabricate it correctly."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (metaphoric form-description)
Concept: Form follows function: śastra-lakṣaṇa ensures efficacy and safety in applied healing arts.
Application: Standardize instrument manufacture and selection before procedures; train by visual analogies for quick recall.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Śālākya-tantra / Netra-roga & Śastra-lakṣaṇa descriptions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician-surgeon holds the Sūcyāsya instrument; beside it are comparison motifs: lotus bud, deer head, lotus root/base, and a stylized bee-spiral showing four turns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya in traditional attire, instrument enlarged in profile with lotus and deer motifs as visual analogies, earthy reds/ochres, clean outlines, temple-clinic ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central enlarged instrument with gold embossing on the lotus-bud body, small medallions showing deer-head tip and lotus-base, rich decorative frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical plate layout, fine lines and labels for tip, body, base, and four spiral turns, soft colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-physician demonstrating a delicate tool to students, detailed metal sheen, botanical lotus study on the side, precise naturalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूच्यास्यः (सूची+आस्यः); पद्मकोषो→पद्मकोषः; समृगशीर्षकाः (स+मृगशीर्षकाः); *चिह्नः पाठटिप्पणी-सूचकः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 340 (Śālākya/śastra-lakṣaṇa subsections)
FAQs
It gives a technical morphological specification (lakṣaṇa) of a fine-tipped surgical/medical instrument—describing its mouth/tip, head, base, and coil/turn structure using standard shape-metaphors (lotus-bud, deer-head, bee-like whorls).
Instead of only theology, it preserves applied scientific-technical knowledge—here, instrument taxonomy and design language used in Ayurvedic surgery/Śālākya practice—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical disciplines.
By standardizing correct instruments and safe technique, the text supports dharmic healing—reducing harm and enabling righteous medical service (vaidya-sevā), which is traditionally treated as meritorious when done ethically.