Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 40
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तस्येत्युक्तवतो लौहं पञ्चाशत्पलिकं समम् अग्निर्वर्णं न्यसेत् पिण्डं हस्तयोरुभयोरपि
tasyetyuktavato lauhaṃ pañcāśatpalikaṃ samam agnirvarṇaṃ nyaset piṇḍaṃ hastayorubhayorapi
Para aquele que foi assim instruído, deve-se colocar como um só bloco em ambas as mãos uma massa uniforme de ferro de cinquenta palas, da cor do fogo.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Instruction for a rasa-śāstra/dhātu-vāda style ordeal or procedure: prepare an iron lump of specified weight and heated/fire-colored condition, then place it in both hands as part of a test or operation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Lauha-piṇḍa (50 Pala) Handling in Dhātu-vāda Context","lookup_keywords":["lauha","pala","piṇḍa","rasa-śāstra","agni-varṇa"],"quick_summary":"A standardized iron mass (50 palas), made fire-colored (heated), is placed as a lump in both hands—indicating a regulated, measurable step in a metallurgical/ordeal-like procedure."}
Concept: Knowledge is operationalized through measurable standards (weight, condition, placement), making procedure reproducible and publicly verifiable.
Application: Follow exact measures and conditions in technical rites; treat standards (pala, piṇḍa) as safeguards against arbitrariness.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Rasa-shastra / Dhatu-vada: alchemical–metallurgical procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A glowing, fire-colored iron lump of specified size is carefully placed into the practitioner’s two open hands under supervision, suggesting a controlled test/procedure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; dramatic red-orange iron lump glowing, attendants with ritual focus, stylized flames nearby, strong outlines, minimal shading, temple setting with brass vessels.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; central glowing iron piṇḍa with gold highlights around flames, figures with ornate attire, emphasis on the object’s radiance, rich background and decorative frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; technical clarity—depict the iron lump, weighing reference (balance/weights), and careful placement into both hands; soft colors, fine lines, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed workshop/ritual pavilion, tongs and tray nearby, glowing iron lump placed into hands, observers recording/gesturing, fine textile and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"tense","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tasya+iti → tasya iti; agnir+varṇam → agniḥ varṇam; hastayoḥ+ubhayayoḥ+api → hastayoḥ ubhayayoḥ api; pañcāśatpalikam = pañcāśat-palikaṃ (tatpuruṣa measure-compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana rasa-śāstra/dhātu-vāda passages (metals, measures, processing); Agni Purana prāyaścitta ordeals involving heat/fire (contextual linkage)
FAQs
It gives a precise operational step in lauha-processing: preparing a uniformly measured iron mass (50 palas) and handling/placing the fire-colored (heated) lump in both hands as part of the procedure.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical technical knowledge—standard weights (pala), material preparation, and procedural handling—typical of Rasashastra/early metallurgical-alchemical instruction embedded within a Purana.
In the Agni Purana’s applied sciences, correct method and measured procedure are treated as dharmic discipline; precise, rule-bound execution is presented as purifying and merit-bearing because it aligns action with śāstric injunction.