Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
नखं वै देवदारुञ्च समं कृत्वाथ दूपकः माक्षिकेन समायुक्तो देहवस्त्रादिधूपनात्
nakhaṃ vai devadāruñca samaṃ kṛtvātha dūpakaḥ mākṣikena samāyukto dehavastrādidhūpanāt
ਨਖ ਅਤੇ ਦੇਵਦਾਰੂ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਹਿੱਸਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਲਾ ਕੇ ਧੂਪ ਬਣਾਓ; ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਮੱਖੀ ਦੇ ਮੋਮ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ ਸਰੀਰ, ਕੱਪੜੇ ਆਦਿ ਦੀ ਧੂਪਨ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ਰੱਖਿਆਕਾਰੀ ਧੂਪ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhoopana (fumigation) recipe for protective disinfection of body and garments using aromatic resins/woods bound with beeswax.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhoopana of Nakha–Devadāru with beeswax for deha-vastra rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["dhoopana","nakha","devadāru","mākṣika","rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Equal parts nakha and devadāru are made into a fumigant; with beeswax as binder/fuel, the smoke is applied to body and clothing for protective purification."}
Concept: Rakṣā through śuddhi—purification of deha and paridhāna (clothing) via gandha and dhūma.
Application: Adopt cleanliness and protective measures as part of daily discipline; treat fumigation as supportive hygiene rather than sole cure.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dhoopana / Fumigation Therapy and Protective Incense)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fumigant is prepared by mixing equal nakha and devadāru, then binding with beeswax; smoke is wafted over clothing and around the body as protective incense.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, interior of a traditional house, brazier with gentle smoke, practitioner wafting smoke over folded garments, devadāru branches depicted, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted incense brazier, ornate textile bundle being fumigated, beeswax lump and cedar chips shown prominently, devotional-purificatory ambiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional layout: equal measures of nakha and devadāru, beeswax binder, brazier, then fumigation of deha and vastra; clean lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard scene with attendants holding garments near a smoking censer, detailed jars of aromatics, delicate smoke curls, patterned carpets and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवदारुञ्च → देवदारु + च; कृत्वाथ → कृत्वा + अथ; देहवस्त्रादिधूपनात् = देह + वस्त्र + आदि + धूपनात्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (dhoopana and rakṣā-kalpa cluster)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic dhoopana (medicinal fumigation) formula: equal parts of nakha and devadāru, bound/mixed with beeswax, to be used as protective fumigation for the body, clothes, and related items.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical health-technology—recipes for disinfecting or protecting persons and belongings via aromatic fumigation—showing its coverage of applied Ayurveda and domestic/ritual hygiene.
Fumigation of the body and garments is treated as a purificatory act that supports cleanliness and auspiciousness, helping maintain ritual fitness (śauca) and ward off inauspicious influences while performing daily and religious duties.