Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 41
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
गरलं माहिषं शृङ्गं त्रपुसीसकपिच्चटं हिण्डीरो ऽब्धिकफः फेणो मधूच्छिष्टन्तु सिक्थकम्
garalaṃ māhiṣaṃ śṛṅgaṃ trapusīsakapiccaṭaṃ hiṇḍīro 'bdhikaphaḥ pheṇo madhūcchiṣṭantu sikthakam
विषाला ‘गरल’ म्हणतात; म्हशीचे शिंग ‘माहिष-शृंग’; कथिल ‘त्रपु’; शिसे ‘सीसक’; ‘पिच्चट’ हे एक विशेष खनिज/मृत्तिकाद्रव्य; समुद्रफेन ‘हिण्डीर’ असून त्याला ‘अब्धिकफ’ किंवा ‘फेण’ असेही म्हणतात; आणि मधाचा अवशेष ‘मधूच्छिष्ट’ म्हणजेच ‘सिक्थक’ (मधमाशीचे मेण) होय.
Lord Agni (traditional narration to Vasiṣṭha in Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Standardizing synonyms of mineral/animal-origin substances for safe identification in formulations, trade, and pharmacy work (dravya-nirṇaya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Synonyms of poisons, metals, sea-foam, and beeswax","lookup_keywords":["garala","trapu","sīsaka","hiṇḍīra","sikthaka"],"quick_summary":"Gives technical names/synonyms for key dravyas (poison, buffalo horn, tin, lead, sea-foam, beeswax) to prevent confusion in compounding and materia-medica handling."}
Concept: Correct naming (saṃjñā) and identification as the basis of right practice (yukti) in applied sciences.
Application: Maintain a glossary for pharmacists/vaidya assistants so procurement and substitution errors are minimized.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravya-guna / Rasashastra-style materia medica lists)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy scene: labeled jars of tin and lead, a buffalo horn, sea-foam collected in a bowl, and beeswax cakes; a scribe writes synonym lists on palm-leaf.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural palette, flat iconic figures: a vaidya and assistant in a pharmacy room, palm-leaf manuscript showing words garala, trapu, sīsaka, hiṇḍīra, sikthaka; bowls of sea-foam and beeswax, stylized buffalo horn; warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents: central seated vaidya holding palm-leaf glossary; ornate jars labeled trapu and sīsaka; beeswax cakes and sea-foam bowl; rich red background, decorative borders, subtle gold highlights on metal vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework: instructional tableau of dravya identification—buffalo horn, tin/lead granules, sea-foam, beeswax—each with neat Devanagari labels; calm indoor pharmacy setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: apothecary workshop with shelves of labeled containers, a scholar annotating synonyms; realistic rendering of horn, wax, and mineral samples; delicate floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ’bdhikaphaḥ = अब्धिकफः (अ + bdhi-); madhūcchiṣṭantu = मधूच्छिष्टम् + तु (म् + तु → न्तु by sandhi/assimilation in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 365 (Ayurveda/dravya lists continuing verses 365.42+)
FAQs
Ayurvedic/technical vocabulary: it supplies synonym-equivalences for substances (poison, metals like tin/lead, sea-foam, beeswax) used in formulations, processing, and reference in medical or artisanal contexts.
Rather than narrative theology, it functions like a nighaṇṭu (glossary), cataloging practical terms for drugs/metals and materials—showing the Purana’s compendium style across medicine, minerals, and applied knowledge.
Indirectly, correct identification and naming of substances supports proper, non-harmful practice in remedies and procedures; accurate knowledge (vidyā) is treated as a dharmic aid to right action and avoidance of misuse (e.g., poison or metals).