Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 52
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
विडङ्गो ऽस्त्री कृमिघ्नः स्यात् वज्रद्रुस्नुक्स्नुही सुधा मृद्वीका गोस्तनी द्राक्षा वला वाट्यालकस् तथा
viḍaṅgo 'strī kṛmighnaḥ syāt vajradrusnuksnuhī sudhā mṛdvīkā gostanī drākṣā valā vāṭyālakas tathā
विडंगाला अस्त्री व कृमिघ्न (कृमिनाशक) असेही म्हणतात. तसेच वज्रद्रुम, स्नुक, स्नुही व सुधा; आणि मृद्वीका, गोस्तनी, द्राक्षा, वला व वाट्यालक—ही पर्यायवाची वनस्पती-नावे मानली आहेत.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Identifying key dravyas by synonym and by functional epithet (e.g., Krimighna) for deworming and other therapies; supports accurate formulation and substitution control.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Viḍaṅga Paryāya & Krimighna-Dravya; Snuḥī/Sudhā; Drākṣā Paryāya","lookup_keywords":["viḍaṅga","krimighna","snuḥī","sudhā","drākṣā"],"quick_summary":"Links dravyas to their common synonyms and functional naming (krimighna). Helps clinicians and pharmacists reconcile different names for the same medicinal substance."}
Concept: Guṇa/karma-based nomenclature (e.g., Krimighna) encodes therapeutic action into the name, aiding memory and application.
Application: Use action-epithets to quickly match a clinical need (kṛmi) with an indicated dravya while still verifying identity via paryāya and lakṣaṇa.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravyaguṇa / Nighaṇṭu-style Materia Medica)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dispensary scene: jars labeled Viḍaṅga/Astrī/Krimighna; a separate tray shows grapes labeled Drākṣā/Mṛdvīkā; a caution sign near latex-bearing Snuḥī/Sudhā plant cuttings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines: vaidya arranging labeled jars (viḍaṅga, krimighna), grape clusters for drākṣā, stylized snuḥī plant with milky latex; didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on medicine jars and grape tray; central physician figure; ornate borders; Sanskrit labels prominent; warm, authoritative mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional still-life: three panels—(1) viḍaṅga synonyms, (2) snuḥī/sudhā latex plant with warning, (3) drākṣā/mṛdvīkā grapes—clean labeling and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic botanicals: detailed viḍaṅga fruits, euphorbia-like latex plant, and grape bunches; physician annotating synonyms in margins; refined palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viḍaṅgo 'strī resolved as viḍaṅgaḥ + astrī (visarga/avagraha). vajradrusnuksnuhī segmented as vajradrūḥ + snuk + snuhī (list).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (krimighna and drākṣā synonym clusters within dravyaguṇa lists)
FAQs
Ayurvedic dravyaguṇa knowledge: it provides synonym-lists for medicinal plants (notably viḍaṅga as a krimighna/anthelmintic), helping correct identification and usage of drugs across regions and vocabularies.
It functions like a nighaṇṭu (Ayurvedic synonym lexicon) embedded inside a Purāṇa—showing the text’s scope beyond theology into practical medicine, pharmacognosy, and technical terminology standardization.
By enabling accurate preparation of remedies that remove disease-causing ‘krimi’ and debility, it supports dharma through bodily health—traditionally considered a foundation for performing vows, worship, and disciplined spiritual practice.