Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 46
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
शरन्निदाघयोः सर्पिस्तैलं शीतवसन्तयोः वर्षासु शिशिरे चैव वस्तौ यमकमिष्यते
śarannidāghayoḥ sarpistailaṃ śītavasantayoḥ varṣāsu śiśire caiva vastau yamakamiṣyate
ಶರದ್ ಮತ್ತು ಗ್ರೀಷ್ಮ ಋತುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತುಪ್ಪ ಹಾಗೂ ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ; ಶೀತ ಋತು ಮತ್ತು ವಸಂತದಲ್ಲಿ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಮಳೆಗಾಲ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿಶಿರದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ‘ಯಮಕ’ (ತುಪ್ಪ-ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಮಿಶ್ರಣ) ಬಳಕೆ ವಿಧಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Seasonal selection of sneha (ghṛta, taila, or yamaka) as part of ṛtucaryā and dietetics to maintain doṣa balance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṛtucaryā—Sneha selection across seasons (ghṛta/taila/yamaka)","lookup_keywords":["ṛtucaryā","śarat","nidāgha","yamaka","snehaprayoga"],"quick_summary":"Use ghṛta and taila in autumn and summer; in cool season, spring, rains, and winter, prescribe yamaka (ghee-oil mixture) as seasonally suitable sneha."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Kāla (season) as a determinant of pathya and dravya selection.
Application: Plan diet/therapies by seasonal qualities (uṣṇa/śīta, rūkṣa/snigdha) rather than by preference.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Ritucharya / Seasonal regimen and dietetics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seasonal wheel showing six seasons with corresponding vessels: ghṛta and taila for śarat/nidāgha, and a mixed ‘yamaka’ jar for other seasons; a vaidya points to the chart.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular ṛtu-maṇḍala with stylized season icons (sun, rain clouds, cool breeze), ornate jars labeled ghṛta/taila/yamaka, traditional palette and borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central golden seasonal mandala, embossed gold on jars, rich jewel tones, symmetrical devotional-like presentation of knowledge.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional chart with six panels, each panel showing season and recommended sneha, fine linework and soft gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court physician presenting a painted seasonal chart to a patron, detailed jars and calligraphy, landscape vignettes for each season."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शरन्निदाघयोः = शरत् + निदाघयोः (द्वन्द्व); सर्पिस्तैलम् = सर्पिः + तैलम् (द्वन्द्वसमाहार); शीतवसन्तयोः = शीत + वसन्तयोः (द्वन्द्व); चैव = च + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (ṛtucaryā and sneha topics)
FAQs
Ayurvedic ritucharya: it prescribes season-appropriate use of unctuous substances—ghee (sarpis), oil (taila), and their mixture (yamaka)—as part of preventive health and bodily balance.
Beyond myth and worship, the Agni Purana includes practical sciences; here it gives a concise, technical Ayurvedic rule on seasonal dietetics/therapeutics (sneha-prayoga), showing its coverage of health and daily living.
By maintaining bodily equilibrium through prescribed seasonal conduct, one supports purity, steadiness in sādhanā, and fewer impediments to dharma—health is treated as an aid to disciplined religious life.