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
Для того, кто так наставлен, следует положить в обе руки комок ровной железной массы весом в пятьдесят пал, огненного цвета.
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.