Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 29
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
क्लीवे ऽम्बरीषं भ्राष्टो ना कर्कर्यालुर्गलन्तिका आलिञ्जरः स्यान्मणिकं सुषवी कृषजीरके
klīve 'mbarīṣaṃ bhrāṣṭo nā karkaryālurgalantikā āliñjaraḥ syānmaṇikaṃ suṣavī kṛṣajīrake
नपुंसकलिंगी ‘अम्बरीष’ हा शब्द; ‘भ्राष्ट’ हा पुल्लिंगी मानला आहे। ‘कर्कर्या’, ‘आलु’ आणि ‘गलन्तिका’ ही नावे; ‘आलिञ्जर’ हाही पर्याय आहे। कृष्णजीरक (काळे जिरे) यासाठी ‘मणिक’ व ‘सुषवी’ ही नावे वापरतात।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Materia-medica identification via synonyms and grammatical gender notes—prevents substitution errors in pharmacy, dietetics, and recipe transmission.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nighaṇṭu notes: Ambārīṣa (gender), Bhrāṣṭa, Karkaryā/Ālu/Galantikā/Āliñjara; Kṛṣa-jīraka synonyms","lookup_keywords":["ambārīṣa klība","bhrāṣṭa puṃliṅga","karkaryā ālu galantikā","āliñjara","kṛṣa-jīraka maṇika suṣavī"],"quick_summary":"Gives synonym clusters and gender-usage for certain food/plant items, and lists alternative names for black cumin. Helps match regional names to the correct dravya in medical and culinary contexts."}
Concept: Nāma-bheda, dravya-abheda: many names may denote one substance; correct mapping is essential for effective practice.
Application: Maintain a synonym register in the pharmacy/kitchen; annotate manuscripts with local equivalents and gender-forms to preserve correct reading and procurement.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Nighaṇṭu (Materia Medica and Synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An apothecary table: black cumin seeds labeled kṛṣa-jīraka/maṇika/suṣavī; a scholar notes grammatical genders for ambārīṣa and bhrāṣṭa; bundles of herbs tagged with synonym strings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, herb bundles and seed bowls with stylized labels, flat iconic arrangement, warm ochres and greens, emphasis on textual callouts.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central bowl of black cumin with gold-highlighted rim, surrounding cartouches listing synonyms, a seated scholar-scribe, ornate border and rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional still-life—seeds, roots, and labeled slips; a small panel showing ‘klība/puṃ’ gender notes; fine detailing and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: herbalist shop with jars and paper labels; a munshi writes ‘maṇika = kṛṣa-jīraka’; delicate shading, patterned carpet, realistic seeds and leaves."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ’म्बरीषं = अम्बरीषम् (अ + म् sandhi with avagraha). स्यान्मणिकं = स्यात् + मणिकम्. कर्कर्यालुः = कर्करि + आलुः (dvandva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (dravya-nāma and synonym sections)
FAQs
Ayurvedic nighaṇṭu-vidyā: it provides synonym-sets and grammatical gender usage for drug-names, including names used for kṛṣa-jīraka (black cumin).
It functions like a compact medical lexicon, cataloging alternative names and linguistic forms for medicinal substances—supporting accurate identification and prescription in Ayurvedic practice.
While not a ritual injunction, correct naming and identification of medicinal substances is treated as dharmic precision—supporting proper healing (ārogya) and right application of traditional knowledge.