Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Bala-graha-hara Bāla-tantram (बालग्रहहर बालतन्त्रम्) — Pediatric protection and graha-affliction management
यावत्त्रयोदशाहं स्यादेवं धूपादिका क्रिया गृह्नाति मासिकं वत्सं पूतनासङ्कुली ग्रही
yāvattrayodaśāhaṃ syādevaṃ dhūpādikā kriyā gṛhnāti māsikaṃ vatsaṃ pūtanāsaṅkulī grahī
குழந்தையின் துன்பம் பதின்மூன்று நாட்கள் வரை நீடித்தால், அதுவரை இவ்விதமாக தூபம் முதலிய சடங்குகளைச் செய்ய வேண்டும்; ஏனெனில் துணைவர்களுடன் கூடிய பூதனா-கிரஹி ஒரு மாதக் குழந்தையைப் பிடிக்கிறது।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bāla-graha (Pūtanā) affliction management through timed protective fumigation/ritual regimen for infants, especially within the first month.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūtanā-graha pratikāra (13-day dhūpa-ādi regimen for a one-month infant)","lookup_keywords":["Pūtanā-graha","bāla-graha","trayodaśāha","dhūpa","rakṣā-kriyā"],"quick_summary":"If a one-month-old infant is seized by Pūtanā-graha, protective measures such as fumigation are to be continued up to thirteen days, following a fixed daily regimen."}
Concept: Time-bound apotropaic discipline (niyama) as therapy for unseen/liminal afflictions in early infancy.
Application: Follow a consistent, repeated protective protocol rather than sporadic acts; continuity is presented as efficacy.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Graha-rogas (Bāla-graha, Pūtanā-graha) and Protective Rituals
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A one-month-old infant in a cradle while elders perform protective fumigation and warding rites for thirteen days, with smoke rising from a small brazier and ritual items arranged nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, stylized figures; a mother and priest near a cradle, dhūpa smoke curling, protective symbols, calm yet tense domestic sanctum, traditional ornaments and textiles.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central infant in cradle, priest performing dhūpa-ārati, ornate lamps and vessels, rich reds and yellows, gilded borders, devotional-protective mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework; instructional depiction of a 13-day protective rite setup—brazier, incense, lamp, offerings—mother holding infant, labels implied by arrangement, soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior scene of a household chamber; attendants performing fumigation near a cradle, delicate smoke patterns, textiles and vessels meticulously rendered, narrative realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yāvattrayodaśāhaṃ → yāvat + trayodaśa + aham; syādevaṃ → syāt + evam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 298 (Graha-roga pratikāra sections around 298.20–298.23)
FAQs
It prescribes a time-bound protective regimen—performing fumigation (dhūpa) and related rites for up to thirteen days—specifically addressing infant graha-afflictions attributed to Pūtanā and her host.
It blends pediatric health concerns (bāla-roga) with graha-doṣa diagnostics and ritual therapeutics (dhūpa-kriyā), showing how the Agni Purana integrates medicine, demonology/folk pathology, and ritual practice in a single instructional framework.
By performing prescribed purificatory protections during the vulnerable early days, the household seeks both immediate safeguarding of the child and removal/appeasement of harmful influences (grahas), aligning domestic care with dharmic purification.