Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 41
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
त्वक्पथ्ययोः समावंशौ शशिभागार्धसंयुतौ नागवल्लीसमो भाति मुखवासो मनोहरः
tvakpathyayoḥ samāvaṃśau śaśibhāgārdhasaṃyutau nāgavallīsamo bhāti mukhavāso manoharaḥ
ଦାଲଚିନିର ଛାଲ ଓ ହରୀତକୀ ସମାନ ଭାଗ ନେଇ, ତାହାରେ ଅର୍ଧ ଭାଗ କର୍ପୂର ମିଶାଇଲେ ମନୋହର ମୁଖବାସ ହୁଏ; ଏହା ପାନପତ୍ର ସମ ଗନ୍ଧ ଦିଏ।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Preparation of a mouth-fragrance (mukhavāsa) for oral deodorizing and pleasant breath using specified proportions of aromatic drugs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Mukhavāsa (mouth-perfume) with tvak–pathyā–karpūra","lookup_keywords":["mukhavāsa","tvak (cinnamon bark)","pathyā (harītakī)","karpūra (camphor)","mukha-gandha"],"quick_summary":"Equal parts cinnamon-bark and harītakī with half-part camphor are compounded as a mouth-perfume to produce betel-like pleasant breath and mouth fragrance."}
Dosha: Kapha
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile)
Concept: Health and social refinement through regulated sensory practices (gandha) and hygienic formulations.
Application: Household/royal daily regimen: oral care and breath-freshening as part of personal conduct and public etiquette.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-nidana & Chikitsa: oral care, breath/mouth fragrance formulations)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic physician/apothecary measures cinnamon bark and harītakī in equal portions, adds half-portion camphor, and prepares a small aromatic mouth-perfume; a betel leaf is shown as the comparison for fragrance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy palette with bold outlines; an Ayurvedic vaidya in traditional attire grinding tvak and harītakī on a stone slab, adding white camphor crystals; betel leaf motif in the border; calm domestic dispensary setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; ornate tray holding cinnamon bark, harītakī fruits, and camphor; a noble person receiving a small mukhavāsa pellet; rich textiles and gilded decorative arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate lines and soft shading; instructional composition showing labeled ingredients and proportional measures (equal parts + half part), mortar and pestle, and a small container for mukhavāsa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detail; courtly apothecary preparing aromatic powder, precise weighing on a balance; attendants with betel leaves; architectural interior with patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Gandhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāgavallīsamo = nāgavallī-samaḥ; mukhavāso = mukha-vāsaḥ; śaśibhāgārdhasaṃyutau treated as tatpuruṣa compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (mukha-roga, danta-dhavana, gandha-yoga sections)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic mukhavāsa (mouth-perfume) recipe: equal parts cinnamon bark and harītakī, with half-part camphor, to create a betel-like pleasant mouth fragrance.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical Ayurveda—here, a precise household formulation for oral deodorizing and pleasant breath, showing its wide-ranging applied knowledge.
Maintaining bodily cleanliness and pleasant speech-related purity (mouth/breath) supports sāttvika conduct and fitness for recitation, worship, and social interaction—an indirect aid to ritual purity and merit.