Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 20
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
चित्तक्षोभभवोत्तम्भो वेपथुः परिकीर्तितः वैवर्ण्यञ्च विषादादिजन्मा कान्तिविपर्ययः
cittakṣobhabhavottambho vepathuḥ parikīrtitaḥ vaivarṇyañca viṣādādijanmā kāntiviparyayaḥ
Tremor (vepathu) dijelaskan sebagai kekakuan atau kejang yang timbul dari kegelisahan batin. Perubahan warna (vaivarṇya), yang lahir dari kemurungan dan keadaan sejenis, adalah penyimpangan dari kilau/rona tubuh (kānti).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Provides diagnostic definitions for vePathu (tremor/convulsive stiffness) and vaivarnya (discoloration) as mind-agitation/dejection-linked signs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vepathu and Vaivarnya (mind-linked tremor and discoloration)","lookup_keywords":["vepathu","chitta-kshobha","utstambha","vaivarnya","vishada"],"quick_summary":"Trembling is framed as stiffness/convulsive rigidity arising from mental agitation; discoloration is an abnormal change of complexion arising from dejection—both aid clinical observation."}
Concept: Mind perturbation (chitta-kshobha) can precipitate bodily signs; complexion and movement reflect inner balance.
Application: Adopt mind-calming regimen (regular food, rest, supportive company) as part of managing psychosomatic presentations.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana: diagnostic signs and symptomatology)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A clinician observes a patient with tremor and stiffness from mental agitation and a second patient with pallor/discoloration from dejection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel diagnostic tableau: one figure trembling with rigid limbs, another with faded complexion and downcast eyes, vaidya observing, flat iconic style","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, physician with gold-highlighted instruments (mirror, pulse), patient showing tremor, second patient with altered complexion, rich gold borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical illustration: arrows from 'chitta-kshobha' to 'vepathu/utstambha' and from 'vishada' to 'vaivarnya', soft colors and precise lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor clinic scene with attendants, patient’s hands shaking, another seated with ashen face, physician taking notes, detailed carpets and jars"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवोत्तम्भः = भव + उत्तम्भः (अ + उ → ओ); वैवर्ण्यञ्च = वैवर्ण्यम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda nidana passages on manasika-hetu and lakshana (near 338.18, 338.22)
FAQs
Ayurvedic roga-nidāna (diagnostics): it defines vepathu (tremor) as stiffness/spasm arising from mental agitation, and explains vaivarṇya (discoloration) as an abnormal change of complexion caused by dejection and related mental states.
It shows the Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving technical Ayurvedic vocabulary for symptom-definition (lakṣaṇa) and mind–body etiology, alongside its many other disciplines.
By linking bodily signs to mental afflictions like viṣāda (dejection), the verse implicitly encourages inner regulation (sattva, steadiness of mind) as part of health—supporting the broader dharmic view that mental purity and balance aid well-being.