Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
समवेक्ष्य महाभाग मात्रायाः कल्पना भवेत् सौम्यास्तत्र रसाः प्रायो विज्ञेया धातुवर्धनाः
samavekṣya mahābhāga mātrāyāḥ kalpanā bhavet saumyāstatra rasāḥ prāyo vijñeyā dhātuvardhanāḥ
हे महाभाग! सर्व बाजूंनी विचार करून मात्रा ठरवावी. त्या संदर्भात रस प्रायः सौम्य असून धातू वाढविणारे आहेत असे जाणावे।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Formulate dosage only after comprehensive assessment; prefer gentle rasa-preparations for nourishing and dhātu-building therapy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rasa-preparations as saumya dhātu-vardhana and dose formulation","lookup_keywords":["rasa","saumya","dhātu-vardhana","kalpanā","parīkṣā"],"quick_summary":"After assessing conditions, dosage is designed; generally, liquid extracts/juices are mild and support tissue nourishment."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Parīkṣā (careful assessment) precedes kalpanā (formulation).
Application: Do not standardize therapy; select preparation-form (here, rasa) aligned to the therapeutic aim (dhātu-vardhana) and patient capacity.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasakalpanā / Dhātu-vardhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Preparation of herbal juice (svarasa): herbs being pounded and pressed; physician deciding dose after examining the patient; emphasis on gentle nourishing therapy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, attendants grinding herbs on stone, cloth strainer dripping green juice into a bronze vessel, physician gesturing calmly, flat stylized forms and muted greens/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central vessel of herbal rasa with gold highlights, physician blessing-like hand while instructing dosage, ornate borders, jewel tones, gold leaf on containers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise instructional layout: assessment panel (patient exam) and preparation panel (pounding, pressing, measuring), fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary scene with mortar and pestle, pressed juice in glass-like cup, physician consulting notes, delicate botanical detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौम्यास्तत्र → सौम्याः + तत्र; धातुवर्धनाः → धातु + वर्धनाः (समास)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 280 (rasakalpanā and dhātu-vardhana context)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic clinical rule: dosage (mātrā) must be determined only after careful assessment, and that medicinal rasas (juice/extract preparations) are typically mild and dhātu-nourishing.
By giving practical Ayurvedic guidance on formulation and dosing—topics normally found in medical saṃhitās—the Agni Purana demonstrates its wide, encyclopedic coverage beyond mythology into applied health science.
Right measure and careful discernment embody dharma in healing—avoiding harm (ahiṃsā) and promoting well-being—so the instruction frames medicine as a righteous, purifying service when practiced responsibly.