Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 29
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
एतेभ्यस्तु समादाय द्रव्यत्रयमथेच्छया मृगदर्पयुतं स्नानं कार्यं कन्दर्पवर्धनं
etebhyastu samādāya dravyatrayamathecchayā mṛgadarpayutaṃ snānaṃ kāryaṃ kandarpavardhanaṃ
ଏମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଇଚ୍ଛାନୁସାରେ ତିନି ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରି, ମୃଗଦର୍ପ (କସ୍ତୁରୀ)ଯୁକ୍ତ ସ୍ନାନ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିବା ଉଚିତ; ଏହା କନ୍ଦର୍ପ (କାମ) ବର୍ଧକ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Formulating a vajīkaraṇa-oriented medicated bath by choosing three aromatics and adding musk to enhance sensual vigor and attractiveness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tri-dravya snāna with mṛga-darpa (musk) for kandarpa-vardhana","lookup_keywords":["vajikarana","mṛga-darpa","snāna","kandarpavardhana","gandha"],"quick_summary":"Select any three of the listed bathing substances, add musk, and use as a medicated bath intended to enhance erotic vitality and allure."}
Concept: Kāma as a regulated puruṣārtha supported by hygienic and aromatic regimens when aligned with dharma.
Application: Employ non-invasive external vajīkaraṇa measures (gandha-snāna) as part of marital/householder life and wellbeing.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Rasayana–Vajikarana (medicinal bath and aphrodisiac regimen)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A medicated bath is prepared by selecting three aromatic powders and blending them with musk; the bath-house is perfumed and intimate yet clinical in preparation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; musk container and three herb bowls near a bathing platform, stylized fragrance waves, subdued romantic palette within traditional flat composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; luxurious bath scene with gold ornamentation on vessels, musk emphasized with deep brown-gold tones, auspicious motifs, refined sensuality without explicitness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; step-by-step depiction of choosing three dravyas and adding musk, clean labels, gentle colors, instructional focus.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; refined zenana bath preparation, attendants mixing aromatics, intricate jars, delicate architecture, tasteful shringara ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: etebhyastu → etebhyaḥ tu; dravyatrayamathecchayā → dravya-trayam atha icchayā; mṛgadarpayutaṃ → mṛga-darpa-yutam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Rasayana–Vajīkaraṇa bath context)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic vajīkaraṇa instruction: select three ingredients from a prior list, combine them with musk (kastūrī), and use them as a medicated bath intended to enhance sexual vigor (kandarpa-vardhana).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical Ayurveda—here, a specific formulation method (ingredient selection + musk + snāna) aimed at a defined therapeutic goal (vajīkaraṇa), showing its wide-ranging technical scope.
By framing bodily vitality practices within a dharmic text, the verse treats regulated sensual potency as something to be cultivated through disciplined, prescribed means rather than excess—aligning pleasure (kāma) with order and self-control.