Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 21
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
भेदनद्रावणाभ्यङ्गस्नेहपानानुवासनैः सर्वानेव समुत्पन्नन् विद्रवान् समुपाहरेत्
bhedanadrāvaṇābhyaṅgasnehapānānuvāsanaiḥ sarvāneva samutpannan vidravān samupāharet
ഭേദനം (ചീരം), ദ്രാവണം (പാകപ്പെടുത്തൽ/ദ്രവീകരണം), അഭ്യംഗം, സ്നേഹപാനം, അനുവാസനം (തൈലബസ്തി) എന്നിവകൊണ്ട് ഉത്ഭവിച്ച എല്ലാ വിദ്രധികളെയും (ഫോഡ/ആന്തരഫോഡ) യഥാവിധി ചികിത്സിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clinical management of abscess (vidradhi) using surgical opening, suppuration measures, oleation, massage, and anuvasana basti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vidradhi Chikitsa: Bhedana–Dravana–Abhyanga–Sneha-pana–Anuvasana","lookup_keywords":["vidradhi","bhedana","dravana","abhyanga","anuvasana"],"quick_summary":"Abscesses are treated by opening when indicated, promoting ripening/liquefaction, and supporting vāta control through massage, internal oleation, and oil-enema."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Kriyā-krama (sequenced intervention): soften/ripen, open, then restore balance with sneha and basti.
Application: Apply the right procedure at the right stage of suppuration; support systemic recovery, not only local drainage.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Shalya/Shalakya-Chikitsa: Vrana–Vidradhi management and therapeutic procedures)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vaidya-surgeon evaluates a swollen abscess, applies ripening measures, performs a careful incision, then administers oil massage, internal ghee, and anuvasana basti for recovery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized clinical scene: surgeon with simple instruments, patient seated, assistants holding oil vessel and cloth, depiction of incision and subsequent abhyanga, muted reds and browns, clear gesture-based storytelling.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dignified physician-surgeon with gold-highlighted instruments and oil pot, patient attended respectfully, ornate frame, emphasis on ritual cleanliness and order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional medical illustration: sequential vignettes—dravana, bhedana, abhyanga, sneha-pana, anuvasana—fine lines, labeled tools and vessels, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed infirmary: physician incises abscess with attendants, bowls for drainage, then massage with oil, careful depiction of textiles, instruments, and patient posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sam utpannan → samutpannān (context requires accusative plural agreeing with vidravān; anusvāra/ending normalized).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 286 (Śalya/Śālākya-oriented therapeutic procedures)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic clinical protocol for abscess (vidradhi): promote softening/suppuration (drāvaṇa), use oil-massage (abhyanga), internal oleation (snehapāna), and oil-enema (anuvāsana), and when indicated perform incision (bhedana) to open and drain.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical medical science: it summarizes core Ayurvedic interventions (including surgical opening and snehana/basti measures), showing the text’s wide scope as a compendium of applied knowledge.
By promoting competent healing and relief of suffering through dharmic medical practice, the instruction aligns with puranic ideals of compassion (dayā) and service, supporting bodily purification and steadiness for religious duties.