Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
क्षयस्य बृंहणं कार्यं स्थुलदेहस्य कर्षणम् रक्षणं मध्यकायस्य देहभेदास्त्रयो मताः
kṣayasya bṛṃhaṇaṃ kāryaṃ sthuladehasya karṣaṇam rakṣaṇaṃ madhyakāyasya dehabhedāstrayo matāḥ
ക്ഷീണ (കൃശ) വ്യക്തിക്ക് ബൃംഹണം അഥവാ പോഷണ‑വർധന ചികിത്സ ചെയ്യണം; സ്ഥൂലദേഹിക്ക് കർഷണം അഥവാ കുറയ്ക്കുന്ന ചികിത്സ; മധ്യമകായത്തിന് രക്ഷണ‑പാലനം. ഇങ്ങനെ ദേഹഭേദങ്ങൾ മൂന്നു എന്നു അംഗീകരിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Choose brṃhaṇa (building), karśana (reducing), or rakṣaṇa (maintenance) therapy based on body-build to avoid inappropriate diet/drug regimens.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Deha-bheda (Three body-types) and corresponding chikitsā","lookup_keywords":["deha-bheda","brṃhaṇa","karśana","rakṣaṇa","kṣaya-sthaulya"],"quick_summary":"Therapy is matched to constitution: emaciation needs nourishing/building, obesity needs reducing, and medium build needs maintenance/protection."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Yukti (appropriateness): treatment must fit the patient’s state, avoiding one-size-fits-all.
Application: Before prescribing diet/medicine, classify the patient’s build and aim (build/reduce/maintain) to prevent iatrogenic harm.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Deha-pariksha & Chikitsa: body-types and therapeutic approach)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic physician classifies three patients—emaciated, obese, and medium-built—indicating three corresponding therapeutic paths: nourishing, reducing, and maintenance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, traditional vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, three seated patients of distinct body types (thin, stout, medium), symbolic bowls labeled brṃhaṇa/karśana/rakṣaṇa, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vaidya figure with ornate halo-like arch motif, three patient figures in panels, gold-leaf highlights on vessels of ghee/gruel (brṃhaṇa) and light gruel/herbs (karśana), rich maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau with fine linework, physician pointing to a simple chart of three deha-bhedas, subtle shading, calm clinic interior, emphasis on didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly physician in a small dispensary, three patients in profile with attendants, labeled scrolls for therapies, delicate textiles, detailed faces, balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देहभेदास्त्रयो = देहभेदाः + त्रयः (visarga sandhi: ाः + त् → ास् + त्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279 (Ayurveda preliminaries/diagnosis context); Agni Purana 280 (chikitsā, āhāra-vihāra, bhaiṣajya-kalpanā sequence)
FAQs
Ayurvedic therapeutic triage: apply bṛṃhaṇa (nourishing therapy) for depletion, karṣaṇa (reducing therapy) for corpulence, and rakṣaṇa (maintenance) for a balanced physique.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium by embedding practical medical doctrine—body-type assessment and matching treatment—alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, arts, and sciences).
By prescribing moderation—nourish the depleted, reduce excess, and preserve balance—it supports dharmic living through health, self-regulation, and the maintenance of a body fit for religious duties and disciplined practice.