Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 29
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
अश्वत्थोडुम्बरप्लक्षमधूकवटकल्कनैः
aśvatthoḍumbaraplakṣamadhūkavaṭakalkanaiḥ
ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥ, ଉଦୁମ୍ବର, ପ୍ଲକ୍ଷ, ମଧୂକ ଓ ବଟ ବୃକ୍ଷର ଔଷଧୀୟ କଲ୍କ (ଲେପ) ଦ୍ୱାରା।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dravyaguna","practical_application":"Preparation of plant-based kalka (medicinal paste) from specific kshiri-vriksha group for topical therapeutic use (e.g., vrana, daha, raktapitta-type burning/oozing conditions as indicated by astringent-latex trees).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kalka of Aśvattha–Udumbara–Plakṣa–Madhūka–Vaṭa","lookup_keywords":["kalka","aśvattha","udumbara","plakṣa","vaṭa","madhūka"],"quick_summary":"Lists five tree-drugs to be made into a paste (kalka). Such pastes are typically applied externally for stambhana (astringent), śodhana/ropana support in wounds and inflammatory oozing lesions."}
Dosha: Pitta
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravya-guna / Aushadha-yoga: medicinal pastes and plant-based formulations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic physician preparing a green-brown herbal paste by grinding bark/plant material of five sacred trees on a stone slab, arranging labeled bundles of aśvattha, udumbara, plakṣa, madhūka, and vaṭa nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette, vaidya seated with grinding stone (śilā-yantra), bundles of sacred tree barks (aśvattha, udumbara, plakṣa, madhūka, vaṭa) arranged symmetrically, palm-leaf manuscript beside, calm clinical mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold work, central vaidya figure holding a paste bowl, ornate borders, stylized sacred trees behind (aśvattha and vaṭa prominent), rich reds and greens, minimal background, devotional-medical fusion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition showing step-by-step grinding into kalka, labeled ingredients, clean workshop setting, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed apothecary scene with stone mortar slab, attendants bringing bark and leaves, precise botanical rendering of the five trees, delicate architecture backdrop, naturalistic palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अश्वत्थ+उदुम्बर+प्लक्ष+मधूक+वट+कल्कनैः इति बहुपद-समासः; ‘ओ’ संधिः: अश्वत्थो-उदुम्बर- (अश्वत्थ+उदुम्बर).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (Vrana/Chikitsa formulations context)
FAQs
It specifies an Ayurvedic method: preparing and applying a kalka (ground herbal paste) using five tree-drugs—aśvattha, uḍumbara, plakṣa, madhūka, and vaṭa—as a practical formulation component.
By listing precise medicinal raw materials and the formulation form (kalka), it demonstrates the Purana’s inclusion of applied Ayurveda and pharmacology alongside its religious and mythic content.
Plant-based remedies drawn from sacred trees are traditionally regarded as purifying and supportive of dharmic living, aligning bodily healing with a broader ideal of ritual cleanliness and sattvic well-being.