Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 51
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
आस्फोता गिरिकर्णी स्यात् सिंहास्यो वासको वृषः मिशी मधुरिकाच्छत्रा कोकिलाक्षेक्षुरक्षुरा
āsphotā girikarṇī syāt siṃhāsyo vāsako vṛṣaḥ miśī madhurikācchatrā kokilākṣekṣurakṣurā
ଆସ୍ଫୋତାକୁ ‘ଗିରିକର୍ଣୀ’ ବୋଲି ମଧ୍ୟ କୁହାଯାଏ। ସିଂହାସ୍ୟା ‘ବାସକ’ ଓ ‘ବୃଷ’ ନାମରେ ପରିଚିତ। ମିଶୀକୁ ‘ମଧୁରିକା’ ଓ ‘ଛତ୍ରା’ କୁହନ୍ତି; ତଥା ‘କୋକିଲାକ୍ଷୀ’, ‘ଇକ୍ଷୁରା’, ‘ଅକ୍ଷୁରା’ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାହାର ନାମ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Clinical and pharmacy-level synonym resolution: mapping multiple appellations (e.g., Vāsaka/Vṛṣa) to ensure correct drug selection in respiratory and other formulations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Dravya-paryāya (Synonymy): Āsphotā, Siṃhāsyā/Vāsaka/Vṛṣa, Miśī (Madhurikā/Chatrā)","lookup_keywords":["āsphotā","girikarṇī","vāsaka","vṛṣa","paryāya"],"quick_summary":"States equivalences among plant names used in different regions/textual lineages. Practical value lies in preventing misidentification when reading prescriptions or sourcing herbs."}
Concept: Śabda–artha-saṃbandha in Ayurveda: multiple śabdas can denote one dravya; knowledge is secured by paryāya-jñāna.
Application: Create crosswalk tables between regional names and classical names for safe dispensing and teaching.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Nighaṇṭu / Materia Medica: herbal synonyms and identifications)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teaching scene: guru-vaidya points to a board showing synonym chains—Āsphotā=Girikarṇī; Siṃhāsyā=Vāsaka=Vṛṣa; Miśī=Madhurikā=Chatrā—while students compare herb specimens.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, classroom under a banyan, stylized students with palm-leaf notes, synonym chains written in bold Devanagari, herb bundles displayed; warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-bordered educational tableau: guru with ornate seat, students in rows, labeled herb trays; decorative script panels showing synonym equivalences.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: neat callout lines connecting synonyms to a single plant illustration; soft colors, fine outlines, instructional emphasis.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature madrasa-like setting: scholar demonstrating synonym lists on a folio, assistants holding botanical samples; intricate textiles and architectural details; precise calligraphy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: madhurikācchatrā resolved as madhurikā + chatrā (ā + c → āc). kokilākṣekṣurakṣurā resolved as kokilākṣa + ikṣurakṣurā (a + i → e).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (continued synonym sections for dravyas)
FAQs
Ayurvedic nighaṇṭu-vidyā: it lists synonym-names used for identifying medicinal plants (e.g., Vāsaka also called Vṛṣa; Āsphotā also called Girikarṇī), helping correct recognition in formulations.
By functioning like a medical glossary: the Purāṇa preserves practical pharmacognosy—multiple regional/technical names for the same herb—so physicians and readers can map terminology across traditions.
While primarily technical, accurate identification of medicinal substances supports dharmic care of the body and service to others; correct practice avoids harm and aligns healing with righteous conduct.