Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
मातुलङ्गरसक्षौद्रद्राक्षाव्योषादिसंस्कृतैः यवगोधूमशाल्यन्नैर् भोजयेच्छ्वासकासिनं
mātulaṅgarasakṣaudradrākṣāvyoṣādisaṃskṛtaiḥ yavagodhūmaśālyannair bhojayecchvāsakāsinaṃ
Penderita sesak napas dan batuk hendaknya diberi makanan dari jelai, gandum, dan beras śāli yang diolah dengan sari mātuḷaṅga (sitron), madu, kismis, serta vyōṣa (tri-kaṭu: jahe kering, lada hitam, dan lada panjang) dan bahan sejenis.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s medical section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Dietary prescription for patients with dyspnea and cough using grains medicated with citrus, honey, raisins, and trikatu to reduce kapha and improve digestion/respiration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śvāsa–Kāsa Pathya: Yava–Godhūma–Śāli with Mātulaṅga-rasa, Kṣaudra, Drākṣā, and Trikaṭu","lookup_keywords":["śvāsa","kāsa","trikaṭu","mātulaṅga","kṣaudra"],"quick_summary":"For dyspnea and cough, feed barley/wheat/rice meals processed with citron juice, honey, raisins, and trikatu. The combination is warming, expectorant, and digestive, supporting respiratory relief through kapha-reduction."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Cikitsā via āhāra-saṃskāra: the same staple grains become medicine when processed with specific dravyas suited to the disease-doṣa.
Application: In respiratory illness, prioritize digestibility and kapha-reducing adjuncts; avoid heavy, mucus-forming foods while appetite is weak.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies / therapeutics for respiratory disorders)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A patient with labored breathing being served a warm grain meal; bowls of honey, citron, raisins, and trikatu displayed as medicating adjuncts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: a vaidya offering medicated yava-anna to a seated patient with gentle breath posture; stylized citron fruit, honey pot, and trikatu spices; earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central patient and vaidya, gold-highlighted honey vessel and citron, ornate grain bowls labeled yava/godhūma/śāli; devotional-clinical ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional still-life of ingredients (citron, honey, raisins, ginger-pepper-long pepper) beside cooked grains; neat composition for teaching.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: physician in a veranda prescribing; attendant brings tray with barley porridge, honey jar, citron slices, raisins, and spice box; fine botanical detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मातुलङ्गरसक्षौद्रद्राक्षाव्योषादिसंस्कृतैः → मातुलङ्ग-रस-क्षौद्र-द्राक्षा-व्योṣ-आदि-संस्कृतैः; यवगोधूमशाल्यन्नैर् → यव-गोधूम-शाल्यन्नैः; भोजयेच्छ्वासकासिनं → भोजयेत् श्वास-कासिनम् (त् + श् → च्छ् sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 278.22-278.23 (supporting śvāsa/hikkā pathya and preparations)
FAQs
Ayurvedic pathya (therapeutic diet): feeding a śvāsa-kāsa patient with grains (barley, wheat, rice) processed with citron juice, honey, raisins, and tri-kaṭu-type spices to support respiratory function and digestion.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving practical Ayurveda, specifically dietetics and formulation principles for respiratory diseases.
By prescribing sattvic, regulated nourishment for the sick, it aligns caregiving with dharma—supporting life (prāṇa) and reducing harm, which is traditionally regarded as meritorious service.