Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
उरू स्पृशति चात्यर्थं सुप्तञ्चैनं विबुध्यते कपित्थचूर्णयोगेन तथा दघ्नः स्रजा तथा
urū spṛśati cātyarthaṃ suptañcainaṃ vibudhyate kapitthacūrṇayogena tathā daghnaḥ srajā tathā
ତାଙ୍କ ଉରୁକୁ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କଲେ ସେ ଶୁଇପଡ଼େ; କପିତ୍ଥ (କାଠବେଳ) ଚୂର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଯୋଗ ଲଗାଇ ତାକୁ ଜଗାଇପାରିବ; ଏବଂ ଦଧିର ସ୍ରଜା (ମାଳା) ଦ୍ୱାରା ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ଜାଗେ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Practical sleep-induction and arousal measures: recognizing pressure/touch points that promote sleep and using specific sensory/medicinal stimuli (kapittha powder, curd garland) to awaken.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nidra-bodhana: Thigh-touch sleep and awakening with kapittha-curna and dadhi-sraja","lookup_keywords":["uru-sparsha","nidra","bodhana","kapittha-curna","dadhi-sraja"],"quick_summary":"Excessive thigh-touch is said to induce sleep; awakening can be effected by applying kapittha powder preparation and by using a curd-based garland as a stimulating measure."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Physiological states can be modulated through sparsha (touch) and gandha/dravya (substances) as external upakramas.
Application: Use non-invasive external interventions (touch management, topical/olfactory stimulants) before stronger internal measures when addressing drowsiness.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Remedies and therapeutic applications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer demonstrates: pressing/touching the thighs causes a person to drift into sleep; then the healer applies kapittha powder preparation and places a curd garland near the person to awaken him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-panel instructional scene, stylized healer and patient on a mat, first panel thigh-touch inducing sleep, second panel healer applying kapittha powder and holding a white curd garland, clear gestures and herbal bowl details","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated patient, attendant with ornate bowl labeled kapittha, curd garland rendered with pearl-like white beads, gold accents on vessels, temple-like interior framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition with labeled items (kapittha curna, dadhi sraja), soft colors, emphasis on hands demonstrating touch points and application method","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, medical vignette in a courtyard room, fine depiction of powder being applied, attendant holding a garland, patient transitioning from sleep to wake, detailed textiles and containers"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुप्तञ्चैनम् = सुप्तम् + च + एनम्; कपित्थचूर्णयोगेन = कपित्थ-चूर्ण-योगेन. ‘दघ्नः’ पाठः संदिग्धः; सम्भाव्यं ‘दध्नः’ (दधि-षष्ठी) इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda: bodhana, dhupana, and sensory therapies (near 223.20)
FAQs
It gives a practical Ayurvedic method for rousing a person from sleep or stupor: using kapittha (wood-apple) powder as an application, and alternatively using a curd-based garland as a stimulating measure.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied health-knowledge—brief, actionable therapeutic tips (dravyas like kapittha and preparations like cūrṇa-yoga) that resemble a medical handbook embedded within a Purāṇa.
By promoting preservation of life and timely care of the vulnerable, the instruction aligns with dharma as compassionate action (dayā) and supports the merit of protecting health as a righteous duty.