Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 32
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
तण्डुलोदकपिष्टानि नेत्रनिर्वापनं परम् नखवृद्धौ नखच्छेदस्तैलसेकश् च मास्यपि
taṇḍulodakapiṣṭāni netranirvāpanaṃ param nakhavṛddhau nakhacchedastailasekaś ca māsyapi
ಅಕ್ಕಿನೀರಿನಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ ಲೇಪಗಳು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಶೀತಲ-ಶಮನ. ನಖಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆದರೆ ನಖಚ್ಛೇದ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು; ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ತಿಂಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ತೈಲ-ಸೇಕ (ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಸುರಿಯುವ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ) ಕೂಡ ಹಿತವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Household therapeutics and hygiene: rice-water paste for soothing eyes; nail care by trimming; periodic oiling/oleation as routine maintenance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tandulodaka-piṣṭa for netra-nirvāpa; nail-trimming and monthly taila-seka","lookup_keywords":["tandulodaka","netra-nirvapanam","nakhavriddhi","nakhaccheda","taila-seka"],"quick_summary":"Rice-water paste is recommended as a cooling eye-soother. Overgrown nails should be trimmed, and regular (monthly) oil application/pouring is advised as preventive body-care."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Śauca and nitya-caryā (regular regimen): bodily maintenance as part of right living, supporting health and capacity for duty.
Application: Adopt simple, accessible remedies and grooming as daily/periodic discipline.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Cikitsa / Home Remedies and Minor Treatments)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household scene: someone prepares rice-water paste in a small bowl for soothing the eyes; another trims nails; a third receives gentle oil application as monthly care.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic veranda setting, bowls of rice-water, calm figures applying cooling paste around eyes, nail trimming shown simply, oil vessel with stylized drops, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented domestic scene with gold-highlighted vessels, serene faces, rice grains and paste bowl prominent, oil pot gleaming, decorative floor patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional triptych: (1) rice-water paste preparation, (2) eye-soothing application, (3) nail trimming and oil-seka routine; fine lines and clear sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with detailed textiles, small cosmetic/medical containers, careful depiction of nail trimming and oiling, soft naturalistic colors and floral border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मास्यपि = मासि + अपि; नखच्छेदस्-तैलसेकश् = नखच्छेदः + तैलसेकः (visarga sandhi before त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 286 (netra remedies cluster)
FAQs
It gives practical Ayurvedic guidance: using rice-water paste as a cooling eye-soothing preparation (netra-nirvāpana) and prescribing nail-trimming for overgrown nails, along with periodic oil-seka (oleation by pouring/applying oil).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied health knowledge—minor therapies, hygiene, and regimen-based care—showing its broad coverage of everyday medical practice within a Purāṇic framework.
By promoting cleanliness and bodily care (especially of the eyes and nails), the verse supports purity and fitness for daily duties and worship, aligning personal discipline with dharmic living.