Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 30
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
पूरीषञ्चटकायाश् च तथा पारावतस्य च क्षीरवृक्षकरीषाश् च प्रसन्नयेष्टमञ्जनं
pūrīṣañcaṭakāyāś ca tathā pārāvatasya ca kṣīravṛkṣakarīṣāś ca prasannayeṣṭamañjanaṃ
ਚਟਕ (ਚਿੜੀ) ਅਤੇ ਪਾਰਾਵਤ (ਕਬੂਤਰ) ਦੀ ਬਿੱਠ, ਅਤੇ ਖੀਰ-ਵ੍ਰਿਕਸ਼ਾਂ ਦਾ ‘ਕਰੀਸ਼’ (ਦੁੱਧੀਆ ਸ੍ਰਾਵ)—ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨਤਾ ਤੇ ਸਪਸ਼ਟਤਾ ਲਈ ਇੱਛਿਤ ਅੰਜਨ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Netra-prayoga: preparing añjana (collyrium) aimed at ocular clarity using unusual animal/mineral/plant excreta-based ingredients as per traditional formulations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Prasanna-iṣṭa añjana from bird droppings and kṣīra-vṛkṣa exudate","lookup_keywords":["anjana","netra-prasadanam","paravata-purisha","chataka-purisha","kshira-vriksha"],"quick_summary":"A collyrium is prescribed for ‘prasannatā’ (clarity/brightness) of the eyes using droppings of small birds and material from milk-bearing trees. It reflects a traditional pharmacopeia where strong scraping/clearing agents are used in minute, processed form."}
Concept: Dravya-prabhāva (specific potency) and traditional empiricism in selecting non-obvious substances for targeted action (netra-prasādana).
Application: Highlights the need for processing standards and expert supervision in potent ocular medicines.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Bheshaja-yoga / Rasakriya and Anjana-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An apothecary dries and grinds minute ingredients, then prepares a fine black collyrium paste in a stone mortar for eye application.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, healer with stone mortar and pestle, small covered bowls, careful hand gestures, subdued palette with strong outlines, emphasis on ritual cleanliness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted cosmetic containers, ornate mortar, healer presenting a tiny añjana rod, rich reds and greens, decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition: drying tray, grinding, sieving, then application with a fine applicator; delicate linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene with shelves of jars, scribe-like precision, tiny applicator, realistic textures of stone and powders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूरीषञ्चटकायाश् = पूरीषम् + च + चटकायाः; करीषाश् = करीषाः (before च); प्रसन्नयेष्टमञ्जनं = प्रसन्नये + इष्टम् + अञ्जनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 286.29-32 (netra therapies cluster)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic anjana-prayoga: a specific collyrium formulation using bird droppings (sparrow, pigeon) and kṣīra-vṛkṣa-derived exudate/dung-like ingredient to promote ocular clarity and a pleasing effect.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical medical recipes—here, a specialized ophthalmic preparation—showing its broad coverage of applied sciences (Ayurveda) alongside ritual and doctrinal material.
By prescribing a health-giving, clarity-producing remedy, the text frames bodily care (especially vision) as supportive of dharmic life—enabling study, worship, and disciplined conduct through improved sensory clarity.