Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
नखं कुष्ठं घनं मांसी स्पृक्कशैलेयजं जलं तथैव कुङ्कुमं लाक्षा चन्दनागुरुनीरदं
nakhaṃ kuṣṭhaṃ ghanaṃ māṃsī spṛkkaśaileyajaṃ jalaṃ tathaiva kuṅkumaṃ lākṣā candanāgurunīradaṃ
Накха (благоухание для ногтей), куштха (costus), гхана (ароматическая смола), мамси (spikenard), сприкка, вода, настоянная на шайлее (лишайнике), а также кункума (шафран), лакша (лак), чандана (сандал), агару (агаровое дерево) и нирада (мускус) — таковы ароматические ингредиенты, подлежащие употреблению.
Lord Agni (traditional narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selection of aromatic dravyas for perfumes, unguents, fumigation, and ritual offerings; also usable as supportive materia medica in formulations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gandha-dravya-saṅgraha (Aromatic Ingredients): Nakha–Kuṣṭha–Māṁsī–Kuṅkuma–Candana–Aguru–Nīrada","lookup_keywords":["gandha dravya","kuṣṭha","māṁsī","kuṅkuma","candana aguru"],"quick_summary":"A curated list of classic aromatics—roots, resins, dyes, woods, and musk—intended for perfumery and ritual scenting, forming a base inventory for gandha-kalpanā."}
Concept: Ordered knowledge of dravya (substances) enables correct kalpanā (formulation) for dharma and well-being.
Application: Maintain a standardized aromatic inventory for household/temple use; choose ingredients by scent profile, availability, and suitability.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Gandha-dravya (Perfumery, unguents, aromatic materia medica)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A neatly arranged apothecary table with labeled aromatic substances: costus root, spikenard, saffron strands, lac, sandalwood, agarwood, musk, and infused water, ready for blending.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical arrangement of herbs and resins in brass bowls, deep earthy reds/greens, priest-apothecary pointing to each ingredient, temple storeroom ambiance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed containers and ornate trays holding saffron and sandal paste, rich maroons and greens, devotional setting with incense smoke","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional still-life with fine outlines, each dravya shown distinctly (root, resin, powder, water), calm scholarly mood","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hyper-detailed still-life of jars and botanicals, calligraphic labels, perfumer’s workshop with textiles and scales"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kāpi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: spṛkkaśaileyajaṃ = spṛkka-śaileya-jam. tathaiva = tathā + eva. candanāgurunīradaṃ = candana-aguru-nīradam (dvandva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Gandha-dravya lists; Dhūpa-kalpa continuation)
FAQs
It enumerates key gandha-dravyas (aromatic substances) used for preparing perfumes, unguents (lepa), and fragrant waters—materials commonly employed in pūjā, dhūpa, and personal/ritual anointing.
By cataloging practical ingredients from classical materia medica and perfumery, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving applied knowledge relevant to Ayurveda, ritual supply, and traditional formulation practice.
Use of pure and auspicious fragrances in worship and anointing is treated as a means of ritual purification and devotional offering (upacāra), supporting sattvic worship and accruing merit through proper pūjā materials.