Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 16
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
श्रीगजस्त्वं कृतो राज्ञा भवानस्य गजाग्रणीः प्रभूर्माल्याग्रभक्तैस्त्वां पूजयिष्पति पार्थिवः
śrīgajastvaṃ kṛto rājñā bhavānasya gajāgraṇīḥ prabhūrmālyāgrabhaktaistvāṃ pūjayiṣpati pārthivaḥ
அரசன் உன்னைச் ‘சுப ராஜயானை’யாக நியமித்தான்; அவன் யானைகளில் நீ முதன்மை. அந்த மன்னன் மாலைகளும் சிறந்த நைவேத்தியங்களும் கொண்டு உன்னை வழிபடுவான்.
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana, instructing a sage such as Vasiṣṭha in the frame narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal protocol for appointing and honoring the state elephant (gajagrani) to secure loyalty, auspiciousness, and public legitimacy of kingship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-gaja (Śrīgaja) Appointment and Pūjā Protocol","lookup_keywords":["śrīgaja","gajāgraṇī","rāja-gaja","mālya-pūjā","bhakṣya-upacāra"],"quick_summary":"The king formally elevates a chosen elephant as foremost (gajāgraṇī) and honors it with garlands and select food-offerings. This establishes auspicious royal symbolism and a reciprocal bond of service and protection."}
Concept: Rājadharma includes honoring key royal supports (like the state elephant) through respectful ritual, creating reciprocal duty and stability.
Application: Maintain institutional loyalty by combining material care with ceremonial honor for critical protectors of the state.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Gaja-śāstra (Elephant lore and royal administration)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king ceremonially appoints a majestic elephant as the royal foremost, adorning it with garlands while attendants present choice food offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vibrant colors, frontal royal figure placing flower garlands on a caparisoned elephant, attendants holding brass lamps and offering trays, ornate palace backdrop, traditional patterns, sacred auspicious mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights on the elephant’s ornaments and the king’s crown, rich reds and greens, embossed jewelry, offering plates with sweets and fruits, symmetrical composition, halo-like aura of auspiciousness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, soft shading, detailed textiles and caparison, courtly interior with pillars, the king performing upacāra with garland and food, calm instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing of court scene, naturalistic elephant anatomy, jeweled howdah, attendants with trays of delicacies, Persianate architectural elements, subdued palette with intricate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Śrī","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रीगजस्+त्वम्→श्रीगजस्त्वम्; प्रभुः+माल्याग्रभक्तैः→प्रभूर्माल्याग्रभक्तैः (विसर्ग-रेफ); भक्तैः+त्वाम्→भक्तैस्त्वाम्; राजान्+आहवे (अगले श्लोक में) जैसे संधि-प्रकार समान।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 290 (Gaja-śāstra / Rājadharma sequence)
FAQs
It describes a courtly protocol: the king formally appoints an elephant as the chief (gajāgraṇī/śrī-gaja) and then honours it through pūjā using garlands and select food offerings.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical statecraft—how royal institutions manage and ceremonially recognize key assets like war/processional elephants—showing the Purana’s coverage of governance, etiquette, and applied animal management.
By prescribing respectful pūjā to a royal elephant, it frames righteous rule as compassionate and dharmic stewardship; honouring dependents and royal instruments of duty is presented as merit-generating conduct for a ruler.