Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Chapter 245 — रत्नपरीक्षा
Examination of Gems
सौगन्धिकं तथा गञ्जं शङ्खब्रह्ममयं तथा गोमेदं रुधिराक्षञ्च तथा भल्लातकं द्विज
saugandhikaṃ tathā gañjaṃ śaṅkhabrahmamayaṃ tathā gomedaṃ rudhirākṣañca tathā bhallātakaṃ dvija
सौगन्धिकं तथा गञ्जं शङ्खब्रह्ममयं तथा। गोमेदं रुधिराक्षं च तथा भल्लातकं द्विज॥
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing a brāhmaṇa/ṛṣi
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Materia-medica style recognition of mineral/organic dravyas (including gem-like and bead substances) for collection, trade, and possible therapeutic/ritual use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dravya-saṅgraha: saugandhika, gañja, śaṅkha-dravya, brahma-maya, gomeda, rudhirākṣa, bhallātaka","lookup_keywords":["gomeda","rudhirākṣa","bhallātaka","śaṅkha","saugandhika"],"quick_summary":"Lists several substances spanning mineral (gomeda), shell-derived (śaṅkha), bead/seed (rudhirākṣa), and botanical (bhallātaka), indicating a broad dravya register used for identification and later application."}
Concept: Comprehensive dravya-jñāna: knowing substances across kingdoms (mineral/animal/plant) as a foundation for applied sciences.
Application: Build a formulary/stocklist; ensure correct identification before therapeutic, ritual, or commercial use.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravyaguna / Ratna-vanaspati-nighaṇṭu style listing of substances)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compendium-like display of mixed dravyas: shell/conch material, hessonite, red beads/seeds, and the bhallātaka nut, presented for identification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, arranged specimens on banana-leaf mats: conch pieces, honey-brown gomeda, red rudhirākṣa beads, dark bhallātaka nuts; a dvija taking notes; earthy pigments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate tray with conch and gemstones, gold leaf borders, bhallātaka nuts in a small bowl, priest-scholar figure labeling items","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional still-life with clean outlines: conch-derived powder, gomeda stone, rudhirākṣa mala beads, bhallātaka fruit; annotations on a palm-leaf manuscript","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary-cum-jeweler table: shells, beads, nuts, and stones; artisans sorting and weighing; fine botanical realism for bhallātaka"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rudhirākṣañca → rudhirākṣam ca; śaṅkhabrahmamayaṃ treated as compound; exact internal samāsa between śaṅkha/brahma may vary by tradition.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ratna-parīkṣā / dravya-nirūpaṇa continuation (lists of substances)
FAQs
It enumerates specific dravyas (substances)—aromatics, mineral/gem items, and a potent medicinal plant (bhallātaka)—as part of an Ayurvedic-style materia medica list used for formulations or therapeutic/ritual applications.
By cataloging named substances spanning herbs, aromatics, and gems, it shows the Purana’s compendium approach—preserving technical lists similar to nighaṇṭus (drug lexicons) alongside other disciplines across the text.
Such listings support purity-oriented and health-preserving practices; in Purāṇic framing, correct use of approved substances aids bodily well-being and ritual cleanliness, which are treated as supportive conditions for dharma and merit.