Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 29
Mantra-paribhāṣā (मन्त्रपरिभाषा) — Colophon/Closure
इडान्या वा वहेद्द्वेधा यदि दूतस्य चात्मनः आभ्यां द्वाभ्यां पुष्टयास्मान् विद्यास्त्रीपुन्नपुंसकान्
iḍānyā vā vaheddvedhā yadi dūtasya cātmanaḥ ābhyāṃ dvābhyāṃ puṣṭayāsmān vidyāstrīpunnapuṃsakān
Bila pada utusan dan pada diri sendiri aliran nāḍī iḍā atau yang lain (piṅgalā) mengalir secara dua macam, maka dari kedua arus itu—melalui tanda-tanda kekuatan dan pemeliharaannya—hendaknya ditentukan apakah pengetahuan/hasil yang datang bersifat feminin, maskulin, atau netral (neuter).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Nāḍī-parīkṣā style omen-reading: observing iḍā/piṅgalā flow patterns in self and messenger to infer the ‘gendered’ character of the forthcoming result/knowledge and its favorability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Iḍā–Piṅgalā dūta-nāḍī-bheda (twofold flow and result-classification)","lookup_keywords":["iḍā","piṅgalā","nāḍī-bheda","dūta-parīkṣā","strī-puṃ-napuṃsaka"],"quick_summary":"By comparing the two nāḍī currents (iḍā/piṅgalā) in messenger and querent, one infers whether the outcome is ‘feminine, masculine, or neuter’—a prognostic classification used in mantra/śakuna practice."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Sūkṣma-śarīra indicators (nāḍī-pravāha) can be read as operational signs for timing and outcome in applied mantra/ritual.
Application: Before acting on a message/undertaking a rite, observe breath-channel dominance and steadiness in both parties to decide auspiciousness and expected ‘mode’ of result.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra Vidya (Dūta-lakṣaṇa / Nāḍī-bheda and subtle-channel indications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist and a messenger seated facing each other while the ritualist observes subtle breath flow—left (iḍā) and right (piṅgalā)—and notes a ‘twofold’ pattern, then classifies the outcome as feminine/masculine/neuter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two seated figures with stylized subtle channels drawn as pale lines along the body, left/right breath indicated by flowing motifs, palm-leaf manuscript with strī-puṃ-napuṃsaka symbols.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central pair with gold halo-like accents, decorative depiction of iḍā and piṅgalā as intertwined ribbons, ritualist pointing to left/right nostril flow, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagrammatic scene: clear left/right channel emphasis, calm faces, annotations showing iḍā/piṅgalā and outcome categories, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate consultation scene with fine detailing; physician-astrologer checks breath/pulse, subtle arrows indicating left/right flow, written notes on outcome classification."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vheddvedhā = vahet dvedhā; cātmanaḥ = ca ātmanaḥ; puṣṭayāsmān = puṣṭayā asmān; vidyāstrīpunnapuṃsakān = vidyā strī-pum-napuṃsakān.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 293 (nāḍī and dūta-śakuna continuation)
FAQs
It teaches a divinatory diagnostic: observing whether iḍā or piṅgalā (subtle breath-channels) predominates or shows a ‘twofold’ flow in both the messenger and the practitioner, to classify the expected outcome/knowledge as feminine, masculine, or neuter.
Alongside law, ritual, and statecraft, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves practical omen-sciences (nimitta-śāstra) and subtle-body models (nāḍī theory). This verse exemplifies that broad, technical cataloging by linking physiological/tantric indicators to predictive interpretation.
It frames bodily signs and breath-currents as meaningful indicators within a dhārmic worldview, encouraging mindful observation and disciplined consultation rather than impulsive action—thus aligning decisions with perceived auspiciousness and reducing karmically careless conduct.