Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Daṣṭa-cikitsā (Treatment for Bites) — Mantra-Dhyāna-Auṣadha Protocols for Viṣa
सुष्टिस्तार्क्षकरस्यान्तःस्थिताङ्गुष्ठविषापहा तार्क्षं हस्तं समुद्यम्य तत्पञ्चाङ्गुलिचालनात्
suṣṭistārkṣakarasyāntaḥsthitāṅguṣṭhaviṣāpahā tārkṣaṃ hastaṃ samudyamya tatpañcāṅgulicālanāt
താർക്ഷഹസ്തത്തിനുള്ളിൽ അങ്കുഷ്ഠം (വിരൽ) സ്ഥാപിച്ച് ചെയ്യുന്ന ‘സുഷ്ടി’ (മുദ്ര/പ്രയോഗം) വിഷാപഹാരിയാണ്. താർക്ഷഹസ്തം ഉയർത്തി അതിലെ അഞ്ചു വിരലുകളും കുലുക്കി ചലിപ്പിച്ചാൽ വിഷം ശമിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"A specific anti-poison hand-gesture (Tārkṣa-hand) with thumb placement and five-finger movement to dispel poison; used as emergency protective practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Suṣṭi Mudrā in Tārkṣa-hasta for Viṣāpaha","lookup_keywords":["Suṣṭi","Tārkṣa-hasta","mudrā","pañcāṅguli-cālana","viṣāpaha"],"quick_summary":"Form the Suṣṭi within the Tārkṣa-hand by placing the thumb inside; raise the hand and shake/move all five fingers to drive out poison."}
Concept: The body can function as a ritual instrument; specific configurations (mudrā) channel protective intent and mantra-force.
Application: Memorize the hand-configuration and sequence (thumb inside; raise; five-finger movement) for rapid deployment in emergencies.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Visha-chikitsa / Anti-venom measures and protective mantras-mudras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close-up instructional scene of the Tārkṣa-hand: thumb tucked inside, hand raised; the practitioner shakes/moves all five fingers to expel poison, with a subtle Garuḍa aura implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged hand gesture in foreground with bold outlines, thumb tucked, five fingers in motion lines, small Garuḍa emblem behind, subdued serpent/poison motif dissolving","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, dramatic close-up of raised hand mudrā with gold foil highlights, ornate bangles, Garuḍa insignia, poison motif breaking apart, rich saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step panels: (1) thumb inside (2) raise hand (3) five-finger movement, clean linework, soft shading, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hand study with motion indicated by fine strokes, practitioner in profile, faint Garuḍa aura, poison symbol dispersing, elegant border and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: suṣṭistārkṣa- = सुष्टिः + तार्क्ष-; karasyāntaḥsthitā- = करस्य + अन्तःस्थित-; viṣāpahā = विष + अपहा; tatpañcāṅguli- = तत् + पञ्चाङ्गुलि-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 294 (Tārkṣya rakṣā-kalpa; mudrā/mantra against viṣa)
FAQs
It teaches an anti-venom procedure using the Garuḍa-associated ‘Tārkṣa-hand’ and the ‘Suṣṭi’ configuration, where raising the hand and moving the five fingers is stated to dispel poison.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical toxicology (viṣa-pratikāra) by recording specific therapeutic-ritual techniques (mudrā-based antidotal actions), showing its wide coverage of applied sciences.
By invoking a Garuḍa/Tārkṣya-linked protective method, the act functions as both a remedy and a purification/protection rite, aimed at removing harmful impurity (poison) and restoring bodily-spiritual safety.