Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
गावः पवित्रं परमं गावो माङ्गल्यमुत्तमं गावः स्वर्गस्य सोपानं गावो धन्याः सनातनाः
gāvaḥ pavitraṃ paramaṃ gāvo māṅgalyamuttamaṃ gāvaḥ svargasya sopānaṃ gāvo dhanyāḥ sanātanāḥ
गाय परम पवित्र आहे; गायच सर्वोच्च मंगळ आहे. गाय स्वर्गाकडे नेणारी सोपान आहे; गाय सनातन धन्य व धन्यता देणारी आहे.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Use as doctrinal basis for go-dāna, go-pūjā, and purity/auspiciousness observances; supports social ethics of cow-protection and charity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gauḥ as purifier, auspiciousness, and svarga-sopāna","lookup_keywords":["pavitra","mangala","svarga-sopana","go-dana","go-mahatmya"],"quick_summary":"Cows are declared the supreme purifier and auspicious principle; honoring and gifting cows is presented as a merit-laden path associated with heavenly attainment."}
Alamkara Type: Anaphora (anuprāsa-like repetition of 'gāvaḥ')
Concept: Pavitrata and maṅgalatā are embodied in sustaining beings; reverence to life-supporting sources becomes a ladder to higher worlds (svarga as karmaphala).
Application: Practice go-dāna according to capacity; maintain cleanliness and gratitude around dairy/food economy; cultivate non-exploitative stewardship.
Khanda Section: Dana-Dharma (Go-dana Mahatmya / Cow-veneration and meritorious gifting)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ceremonial go-dāna: a decorated cow is gifted to a worthy recipient; the scene emphasizes purity and auspiciousness with ritual vessels and blessings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, go-dāna ceremony, cow with floral garlands, donor and brāhmaṇa with ritual vessels, lamp and kalasha, saturated earthy palette, calm sacred mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold work, richly ornamented cow as central auspicious icon, donor offering with arati lamp, ornate borders, lotus motifs, radiant sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of go-dāna steps: cow decoration, water-pot, kusa grass, donor’s gesture of offering; delicate lines, soft shading, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly charity scene in a pavilion, cow presented with attendants, fine textiles, detailed architecture, subtle expressions of blessing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: माङ्गल्यमुत्तमं = माङ्गल्यम् + उत्तमम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: dāna-dharma catalogues (various dānas and their phala); Agni Purana: śauca/pūjā-vidhi sections
FAQs
It teaches the dharma-vidhi principle that cows function as a primary agent of ritual auspiciousness and purification, underpinning practices like go-dāna (donation of cows) and go-sevā (service to cows) as merit-generating acts.
By codifying a concise dharma statement on charity and merit (dāna-dharma), it exemplifies how the Agni Purāṇa compiles practical religious ethics alongside many other disciplines—ritual, governance, medicine, and śāstra—into one reference text.
It frames reverence for cows and related charitable acts as highly punya-producing—purifying the doer and serving as a metaphorical 'ladder to heaven,' i.e., a strong karmic cause for auspicious outcomes and higher post-mortem states.