Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 7
Māheśvara-snāna: Lakṣa/Koṭi-homa, Protective Baths, Unguents, and Graha-Śānti
वचा हरिद्रे द्वे मुस्तं स्नानं रक्षोहणं परं आयुष्यञ्च यशस्यञ्च धर्ममेधाविवर्धनम्
vacā haridre dve mustaṃ snānaṃ rakṣohaṇaṃ paraṃ āyuṣyañca yaśasyañca dharmamedhāvivardhanam
ການອາບນ້ຳທີ່ປຸງດ້ວຍ vacā (ຫຍ້າຫອມ), haridrā ສອງຊະນິດ, ແລະ mustā (ຫຍ້າຫົວ) ເປັນການປົກປ້ອງສູງສຸດຕໍ່ອຳນາດອັນຮ້າຍ; ມັນສົ່ງເສີມອາຍຸຍືນ ແລະຊື່ສຽງ, ພ້ອມທັງເພີ່ມພູນທຳມະ ແລະປັນຍາ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic discourse style of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Prepare a protective herbal bath using vacā, haridrā-dvaya, and mustā for rakṣoghna (protective) effect and for promoting longevity, reputation, dharma, and intellect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Rakṣoghna-snānayoga: Vacā–Haridrā-dvaya–Mustā","lookup_keywords":["vacha","haridra-dvaya","musta","rakshoghna","snana-yoga"],"quick_summary":"A bath with vacā, two kinds of turmeric, and mustā is declared highly protective and supportive of āyus, yaśas, dharma, and medhā."}
Concept: Well-being is linked with dharma and medhā; protective rites (rakṣā) are integrated with health-promoting regimens.
Application: Combine bodily hygiene (snāna) with intentional protective discipline (rakṣā-saṅkalpa) to cultivate steadiness, confidence, and ethical conduct.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Snana-yoga / Rakshoghna-dravya: protective medicinal bath ingredients)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Herbal bath preparation: vacā rhizomes, turmeric varieties, and mustā tubers are pounded and steeped; the devotee bathes or is sprinkled, symbolizing protection and longevity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized herbs on a tray, priest preparing yellow-tinted bath water, devotee seated calmly, protective aura motifs, earthy palette with turmeric gold accents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate vessel with golden-yellow herbal water, herbs arranged like offerings, subtle halo around bather, gold leaf highlights emphasizing maṅgala and rakṣā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of three herbs with fine botanical detail, shown being boiled and poured into a bathing pot; calm domestic-ritual setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary-like scene: grinding herbs with mortar, simmering decoction, attendant pours into bath basin; delicate naturalism and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आयुष्यम् + च → आयुष्यञ्च; यशस्यम् + च → यशस्यञ्च; रक्षोहणम् = रक्षः-हणम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 266 (rakṣā/snānadravya phala series)
FAQs
It prescribes an Ayurvedic-ritual bath (snāna) using vacā, haridrā-dvaya, and mustā as rakṣoghna (protective/warding) substances to repel harmful influences.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical health-and-protection measures—herbal materia medica applied to daily purification (snāna) with stated worldly and ethical benefits.
The bath is framed as both protective purification and merit-supporting practice, said to enhance dharma (righteous conduct/merit) and medhā (clarity and intelligence), linking bodily cleansing with spiritual uplift.