Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 17
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
ऋषीणामग्निहोत्रेषु गावो होमेषु योजिताः सर्वेषामेव भूतानां गावः शरणमुत्तमं
ṛṣīṇāmagnihotreṣu gāvo homeṣu yojitāḥ sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ gāvaḥ śaraṇamuttamaṃ
Dalam upacara agnihotra para resi, sapi digunakan dalam persembahan homa; bagi semua makhluk, sapi sungguh merupakan perlindungan tertinggi.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Agnihotra/homa context: uphold go-seva and protect cows as integral to sacrificial economy; treat cow-products (milk, ghee) as ritually central and socially protected resources.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Gauḥ as refuge in Agnihotra-Homa","lookup_keywords":["agnihotra","homa","gau","goghrita","sharana"],"quick_summary":"The verse frames cows as indispensable to agnihotra/homa through their products and as a universal refuge; it supports dharmic protection and gifting of cows in ritual society."}
Concept: Ritual order depends on mutually sustaining supports; cows are elevated as a universal śaraṇa due to their life-sustaining and yajña-enabling role.
Application: Prioritize non-violence and protection of cows; maintain availability of ghee/milk for rites; integrate go-dāna/go-sevā into household and community dharma.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Vedic Rituals and Dharma: Homa, Agnihotra, and Sacral Economy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage performs agnihotra at dawn; ghee from a cow is offered into the sacred fire while cows stand nearby as honored participants of the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, agnihotra scene with rishi in white garments, glowing homa-kunda, sacred cow beside, warm ochres and reds, stylized flames, serene devotional ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central agnihotra fire with gold-leaf highlights, rishi offering ghee, richly adorned cow with halo-like ornamentation, temple-like framing, auspicious motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional ritual layout: homa-kunda, ladle, ghee pot, cow and calf, rishi seated; fine linework, soft colors, annotated feel without text","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage courtyard, rishi at fire altar, attendants, cow in foreground, delicate foliage, naturalistic shading, intimate ritual moment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषीणामग्निहोत्रेषु = ऋषीणाम् + अग्निहोत्रेषु; सर्वेषामेव = सर्वेषाम् + एव; शरणमुत्तमं = शरणम् + उत्तमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: go-dāna/ dāna-dharma sections; Agni Purana: agnihotra/homa-vidhi sections
FAQs
It states the ritual utility of cows in Vedic practice—cows (and their products such as milk, ghee, and dung used as fuel/cakes) are integral to agnihotra and homa performances, emphasizing their sanctioned employment in fire-rites.
By codifying a dharmic-ritual principle (agnihotra/homa practice) alongside a broader ethical valuation (cows as universal refuge), it blends liturgical procedure with social-religious doctrine—typical of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, compendious style.
It frames reverence and protection of cows as a high-merit (puṇya) support for beings, linking ritual correctness in homa with dharmic shelter—suggesting purification and welfare accrue through honoring what sustains sacrifice and life.