Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 32
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
खड्गामिषं महाशल्कं मधुयुक्तान्नमेव च लोहामिषं कालशाकं मांसं वार्धीनसस्य च
khaḍgāmiṣaṃ mahāśalkaṃ madhuyuktānnameva ca lohāmiṣaṃ kālaśākaṃ māṃsaṃ vārdhīnasasya ca
ഖഡ്ഗ (ഗണ്ഡമൃഗം) മാംസം, മഹാശല്കം (വലിയ ചെറുകട്ടുള്ള മത്സ്യം), തേൻ ചേർത്ത അന്നം, ലോഹാമിഷം (രോഹിത-വർഗം) മാംസം, കാലശാകം, കൂടാതെ വാർധീനസ എന്ന ജലചരത്തിന്റെ മാംസം—ഇവ പ്രത്യേക ആഹാരങ്ങളായി നിര്ദ്ദേശിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, continuing the encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Cataloging specific food items (meats, fish, greens, honey-mixed preparations) for dietary decision-making in pathya/apathya or ritual-allowed contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Āhāra-dravya-nirdeśa: khadga-māṁsa, mahāśalka, madhu-yukta anna, lohāmīṣa, kāla-śāka, vārdhīnasa","lookup_keywords":["khadga māṁsa","mahāśalka fish","madhu-yukta anna","kāla-śāka","vārdhīnasa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates particular edible items—certain meats, a large scaly fish, honey-mixed preparations, a dark leafy green, and an aquatic creature—serving as a reference list for diet classification."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Systematic naming of dravyas (substances) is foundational for applied knowledge—diet, ritual, and household management.
Application: Use precise identification of foods before prescribing/consuming; avoid substituting unknown species under the same name without local expert verification.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Ahara-vidhi / Pathya-Apathya: dietary listings of meats, vegetables, and preparations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A labeled display of foods: rhinoceros (symbolic), a large scaly fish, a bowl of honey-mixed rice, a red-fleshed fish/meat item, a bundle of dark leafy greens (kāla-śāka), and an aquatic creature labeled vārdhīnasa—arranged like an Ayurvedic materia list.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized natural forms: rhino silhouette, large fish with scales emphasized, brass bowl of anna with honey sheen, dark leafy greens, aquatic creature, each with traditional label cartouches, earthy pigments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-outlined food vessels, honey bowl gleaming with gold leaf, decorative borders with fish-scale patterns, central arrangement like a sacred offering-catalog","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate: each item drawn separately with fine shading and clear labels, arranged as an Ayurvedic dravya chart","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, natural-history still life with meticulous textures (scales, leaves), small calligraphic labels, subdued background wash"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मधुयुक्तान्नम् = मधु-युक्त-अन्नम्; खड्गामिषम् = खड्ग-अमिषम्; लोहामिषम् = लोह-अमिषम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (āhāra-vidhi/pathya-apathya listings)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dietetics (āhāra-vidhi): the verse catalogs specific meats, fish, and vegetables as classified food items within a pathya/apathya-style discussion.
It shows the text functioning as a compendium beyond theology—preserving practical Ayurvedic nutrition lists (animal foods, greens, and preparations like honey-mixed dishes) alongside other sciences.
By regulating food choices through scriptural-Ayurvedic guidance, the practitioner supports bodily purity and balanced conduct, which traditional dharma literature treats as conducive to sāttvika living and steadier religious practice.