Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 3
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
शेषं शैलान् कुञ्जरांश् च ये ते ऽष्टौ देवयोनयः विरुपाक्षं महापद्मं भद्रं सुमनसन्तथा
śeṣaṃ śailān kuñjarāṃś ca ye te 'ṣṭau devayonayaḥ virupākṣaṃ mahāpadmaṃ bhadraṃ sumanasantathā
ശേഷൻ, ശൈലൻ, കുഞ്ജരൻ—ഇവരും (ചേർന്ന്) ദേവയോനി, അഥവാ ദിവ്യോത്ഭവമായ എട്ട് നാഗങ്ങൾ: വിരൂപാക്ഷൻ, മഹാപദ്മൻ, ഭദ്രൻ, സുമനസും.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Cataloging nāga lineages for ritual address, protective rites, and cosmographic mapping of adholoka/serpent realms in śānti contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Eight Deva-yoni Nāgas (Śeṣa to Sumanas)","lookup_keywords":["nāga","deva-yoni","Śeṣa","Virūpākṣa","Mahāpadma"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates a canonical set of divine-origin nāgas, useful for invocation, appeasement, and mythic-cosmographic orientation in śānti and nāga-related rites."}
Concept: Cosmic taxonomy: naming as a means of ritual control/relationship with non-human intelligences (nāgas).
Application: In śānti, recite/remember these names to broaden the addressed pantheon and reduce nāga-related afflictions/omens.
Khanda Section: Nagā-vidyā / Bhū-adholoka-vistāra (Serpent lore and netherworld cosmography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mythic register of eight nāgas presented as a lineage tableau: Śeṣa prominent, with other nāgas as crowned serpent-beings emerging from jeweled subterranean palaces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deep green-blue underworld palette; Śeṣa with multiple hoods forming a canopy; other nāgas in symmetrical panels with lotus and gem motifs; stylized subterranean architecture.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Śeṣa with gold-embossed hoods and gem-studded ornaments; surrounding nāgas in smaller medallions; rich maroon background with gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic ‘nāga list’ painting: eight serpent-deities in a neat grid with name cartouches; soft shading and fine detailing of hoods and jewelry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fantastical subterranean court: nāga kings seated on low thrones, attendants with flywhisks; intricate patterns on palace walls; luminous gems and water channels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुञ्जरांश् च→कुञ्जरान् च; ते ऽष्टौ→ते अष्टौ; सुमनसन्तथा→सुमनसम् तथा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 290 (Nāga-vidyā segment; continues with additional nāga lists and homa/dakṣiṇā)
FAQs
It transmits nāga-nāma-nirdeśa—an authoritative onomastic list of divine-origin Nāgas used for Purāṇic cosmography, recitation, and identification within mythic genealogies.
By cataloging specific classes and names (here, devayonayaḥ Nāgas), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s reference-manual style—preserving structured lists that support broader sections on worlds, beings, and sacred geography.
Remembering and reciting Purāṇic sacred lineages is traditionally regarded as smṛti-śuddhi (purifying remembrance) and as strengthening śraddhā by aligning the listener with the Purāṇic cosmic order.