Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 32
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
श्योनाकशुकनासर्क्षदीर्घवृन्तकुटन्नटाः पीतद्रुः सरलश्चाथ निचुलो ऽम्बुज इज्जलः
śyonākaśukanāsarkṣadīrghavṛntakuṭannaṭāḥ pītadruḥ saralaścātha niculo 'mbuja ijjalaḥ
Śyonāka, Śukanāsa, Arkṣa, Dīrghavṛnta, Kuṭannaṭa, Pītadru, Sarala; serta Nicula, Ambuja, dan Ijjala—semuanya diakui sebagai nama-nama pohon/tumbuhan obat.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic teaching mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Materia medica identification of medicinal trees/woods by enumerating accepted names; aids correct selection of timber/bark/resin drugs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Medicinal Tree/Wood Names: Śyonāka, Sarala, Nicula etc.","lookup_keywords":["Śyonāka","Sarala","Nicula","Pītadru","Ambuja"],"quick_summary":"Lists recognized medicinal tree/wood names used in formulations; functions as a reference index for dravya identification."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Applied taxonomy: ordering of natural substances for reliable therapeutic use.
Application: Training of physicians and collectors to maintain consistency in drug supply chains.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Dravyaguna (Materia Medica: medicinal trees and plants)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest collection scene: collectors identify trees (śyonāka, sarala, nicula) and mark them; resin and bark samples are placed into baskets with name-tags.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized tall trees with distinct leaf patterns, collectors with baskets, palm-leaf tags reading śyonāka/sarala/nicula, bold outlines and flat color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central sacred-looking tree with gold highlights, surrounding smaller trees labeled with names, ornate border, rich pigments, devotional-encyclopedic feel.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic scene of tree identification with labeled parts (bark/resin/wood), careful detailing, calm palette, manuscript reference in corner.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic woodland with botanist and assistants, labeled specimens, fine shading, calligraphic captions for each tree name."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: saralaścātha → saralaḥ ca atha; niculo 'mbuja → niculaḥ ambujaḥ (visarga elision before vowel). Large initial compound treated as list-compound of names.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (Dravyaguṇa lists)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dravyaguṇa knowledge: the verse supplies a lexicon-style list of medicinal plant/tree names (synonyms) used for correct identification in formulations.
It functions like a nighaṇṭu (materia-medica glossary), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving technical vocabulary needed for practical medicine and pharmacology.
By enabling accurate identification and use of medicinal substances, the teaching supports dharmic care of the body (śarīra-dhāraṇa) and compassionate healing, which is traditionally praised as a meritorious act.