Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 43
Chapter 282 — नानारोगहराण्यौषधानि
Medicines that Remove Various Diseases
शतावरीगुडुच्यग्निपलानां शतविंशतिः मध्वाज्यतिलजैर् लिह्याद्बलीपलितवर्जितः
śatāvarīguḍucyagnipalānāṃ śataviṃśatiḥ madhvājyatilajair lihyādbalīpalitavarjitaḥ
शतावरी, गुडूची व अग्नि (चित्रक) यांचे एकशे वीस पल घेऊन मध, तूप व तीळयुक्त पदार्थांसह लेह्यरूपाने चाटावे; त्यामुळे सुरकुत्या व पांढरे केस नाहीसे होतात।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Rasayana lehyam (linctus) for anti-aging—aimed at preventing/mitigating palitya (grey hair) and vali (wrinkles) through daily/seasonal supplementation with honey, ghee, and sesame-based anupana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Śatāvarī–Guḍūcī–Citraka Rasāyana Lehyam for Vali-Palitya","lookup_keywords":["śatāvarī","guḍūcī","citraka (agni)","lehyam","vali-palitya"],"quick_summary":"A rasāyana linctus prepared from śatāvarī, guḍūcī, and citraka, taken with honey, ghee, and sesame products, is presented as a regimen to reduce wrinkles and grey hair."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Jarā (aging) is approached as modifiable through rasāyana that supports dhātu-puṣṭi and agni; bodily excellence is treated as a legitimate puruṣārtha-supporting aim.
Application: Adopt disciplined rasāyana intake as part of daily regimen (dinacaryā) with attention to digestion and suitable vehicles (anupāna).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasayana / Hair-rejuvenation and anti-aging remedies)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic practitioner prepares a dark herbal lehyam in a bronze vessel; honey, ghee, and sesame paste are added; a person consumes the linctus, depicted with youthful hair and smooth skin.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Ayurvedic vaidya mixing śatāvarī, guḍūcī, citraka paste with honey and ghee, traditional brass vessels, calm rejuvenation theme, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure receiving rasāyana lehyam, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and ornaments, rich reds and greens, stylized herbal bundles labeled śatāvarī and guḍūcī","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed instructional tableau: ingredients arranged in neat rows, vaidya measuring palas, preparing lehyam with honey-ghee-sesame, soft shading and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly dispensary scene with physician compounding electuary, small labeled jars, precise botanical depiction of guḍūcī vine and śatāvarī roots, delicate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śatāvarīguḍucyagnipalānāṃ → śatāvarī + guḍucī + agni + palānām; śataviṃśatiḥ → śata + viṃśatiḥ; madhvājyatilajair → madhu + ājya + tila-jaiḥ; lihyādbalīpalitavarjitaḥ → lihyāt + balī-palita-varjitaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Rasāyana-prakaraṇa (same khanda around 282); Agni Purāṇa Bhaishajya/auṣadha-yoga sections contiguous to these verses
FAQs
Ayurvedic rasāyana knowledge: a lehya (linctus/electuary) made from Śatāvarī, Guḍūcī, and ‘Agni’ (Citraka) taken with honey, ghee, and sesame preparations to counter signs of aging.
It demonstrates the Agni Purana’s inclusion of practical Ayurveda—precise ingredients, dosage by classical weight (pala), and method of intake—alongside its broader religious and cultural teachings.
By preserving vitality and delaying senescence, the rasāyana supports sustained performance of dharma (daily duties, vows, worship), framing bodily health as an aid to spiritual discipline.