Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 15
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
पलाशं छदनं पर्णमिध्ममेधः समित् स्त्रियां बोधिद्रुमश् चलदलो दधित्थग्राहिमन्मथाः
palāśaṃ chadanaṃ parṇamidhmamedhaḥ samit striyāṃ bodhidrumaś caladalo dadhitthagrāhimanmathāḥ
O Palāśa é também chamado Chādana, Parṇa, Idhma, Medha, Samit, Striyām, Bodhidruma, Caladala, Dadhittha, Grāhi e Manmatha.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Dravyaguṇa identification: mapping multiple synonyms of Palāśa for accurate procurement, prescription, and avoidance of substitution errors across regions and textual traditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Palāśa-nighaṇṭu: Synonym set for Palāśa (Butea monosperma)","lookup_keywords":["palāśa","butea monosperma","nighaṇṭu","parṇa","idhma"],"quick_summary":"Provides a compact synonym-list for Palāśa, enabling cross-text and regional name reconciliation in materia medica and ritual/utility contexts (fuel, samit, etc.)."}
Concept: Śabda-jñāna as a tool of correct practice: many names, one dravya—knowledge prevents error.
Application: Use synonym-lists as a verification protocol in trade, pharmacy, and teaching (guru-to-śiṣya transmission).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Dravyaguna-nighaṇṭu (Materia Medica and plant-synonyms)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm-leaf manuscript page lists Palāśa and its many synonyms; beside it, the Palāśa tree with broad leaves and flame-colored blossoms; a vaidya points to the entries while an apprentice holds samples.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized Palāśa with red-orange blooms, a vaidya-teacher indicating a palm-leaf text showing synonym columns (Palāśa/Parṇa/Idhma/Samit), traditional interior setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on blossoms and manuscript borders, central Palāśa tree, seated vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, ornate frame, devotional-yet-scholarly mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, neat calligraphic labels near the tree (Chādana, Parṇa, Idhma, Medha), teacher-student instructional scene, soft colors and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with botanical realism of Butea monosperma, margins filled with nastaʿlīq-like decorative script blocks representing synonyms, scholar and student in a garden pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saraswati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bodhidrumaś = bodhi-drumaḥ (visarga before c); parṇamidhmamedhaḥ read as parṇam + idhmamedhaḥ; dadhitthagrāhimanmathāḥ = dadhittha-grāhi-manmathāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362.16-18 (continued synonymy lists); Agni Purana Ayurveda/Dravyaguṇa sections (nighaṇṭu-style entries)
FAQs
It provides a nighaṇṭu-style list of synonym-names for Palāśa, including ritual-technical terms like samit and idhma, aiding correct identification for Ayurveda and yajña fuel-wood usage.
By cataloging multiple lexical and functional names of a single plant, it acts like a technical glossary—bridging pharmacology (dravyaguṇa) and ritual practice (samit/idhma)—a hallmark of the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style.
Accurate identification of samit/idhma supports proper performance of fire-rituals; correctness in ritual materials is traditionally linked with purity of rite and the intended merit (puṇya) of offerings.