Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 4
अध्याय २७८: सिद्धौषधानि
Siddha Medicines / Perfected Remedies
मुस्तपर्पटकोशीरचन्दनोदीच्यनागरैः षडहे च व्यतिक्रान्ते तित्तकं पाययेद्ध्रुवं
mustaparpaṭakośīracandanodīcyanāgaraiḥ ṣaḍahe ca vyatikrānte tittakaṃ pāyayeddhruvaṃ
முஸ்தா, பர்பட, உசீரம், சந்தனம், உதீச்ய, நாகரம் (சுக்கு) ஆகியவற்றுடன்—ஆறு நாட்கள் கடந்த பின்—நிச்சயமாக (நோயாளிக்கு) திக்தகக் கஷாயம் அருந்தச் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Herbal decoction protocol for fever/heat conditions after a defined disease-day threshold (after six days): administer a bitter formulation using mustā, parpaṭa, uśīra, candana, udīcya, and nāgara.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Tiktaka-kvātha after ṣaḍ-aha: mustā–parpaṭa–uśīra–candana–udīcya–nāgara","lookup_keywords":["tiktaka","mustā","parpaṭa","uśīra","candana","udīcya","nāgara"],"quick_summary":"After six days, give a bitter decoction prepared from mustā, parpaṭa, uśīra, candana, udīcya, and dry ginger—classically cooling-clearing with digestive support."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Kāla-krama in treatment: timing (after ṣaḍ-aha) and guṇa-based selection (tiktā, śīta with dīpana support).
Application: Match stage of illness with appropriate rasa/guṇa medicines; avoid premature strong bitters in early acute weakness unless indicated.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies / Bhaishajya-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vaidya prepares a bitter decoction: herbs (mustā, parpaṭa, uśīra, candana, udīcya, nāgara) laid out on a cloth; a pot simmers over a small fire; the patient receives the tiktaka drink after six days of illness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, herbal preparation tableau with clearly stylized plants and roots, simmering decoction pot, physician measuring, patient seated calmly, earthy palette and temple-mural ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate medicine-preparation scene with gold-highlighted vessels, herbs arranged symmetrically, physician offering a cup of tiktaka, rich reds/greens and gold leaf detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical depiction: labeled herbs and decoction pot, physician demonstrating kvātha preparation steps, clean lines and soft shading suited for instructional content.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary-like setting with detailed botanicals, copper pot on brazier, physician grinding and boiling herbs, patient attended, intricate border and naturalistic rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mustaparpaṭakośīracandanodīcyanāgaraiḥ is an itaretara-dvandva compound in instrumental plural; ṣaḍahe = ṣaṭ + ahe (dvigu); pāyayeddhruvaṃ → pāyayet + dhruvam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 278 jvara/bhaiṣajya sequence (preceding dietetic measures and subsequent formulations)
FAQs
Ayurvedic therapeutic guidance: prepare a bitter decoction (tiktaka/tittaka) using mustā, parpaṭa, uśīra, candana, udīcya, and dry ginger, and administer it after a six-day interval as part of treatment.
It preserves practical clinical-style instructions—specific herbs, a dosage form (bitter decoction), and timing (after six days)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied Ayurveda alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences.
While primarily medical, such puranic health-instructions are framed as dharmic care of the body (a support for sādhana and duty); restoring balance and reducing suffering is treated as a meritorious, purifying act when done rightly.