Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
नखं वै देवदारुञ्च समं कृत्वाथ दूपकः माक्षिकेन समायुक्तो देहवस्त्रादिधूपनात्
nakhaṃ vai devadāruñca samaṃ kṛtvātha dūpakaḥ mākṣikena samāyukto dehavastrādidhūpanāt
నఖం మరియు దేవదారువును సమభాగాలుగా చేసి ధూపం సిద్ధం చేయాలి; దానిని తేనెటీగల మైనంతో కలిపి శరీరం, వస్త్రాలు మొదలైనవాటికి ధూపనం చేస్తే రక్షక ధూపంగా పనిచేస్తుంది.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Dhoopana (fumigation) recipe for protective disinfection of body and garments using aromatic resins/woods bound with beeswax.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhoopana of Nakha–Devadāru with beeswax for deha-vastra rakṣā","lookup_keywords":["dhoopana","nakha","devadāru","mākṣika","rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Equal parts nakha and devadāru are made into a fumigant; with beeswax as binder/fuel, the smoke is applied to body and clothing for protective purification."}
Concept: Rakṣā through śuddhi—purification of deha and paridhāna (clothing) via gandha and dhūma.
Application: Adopt cleanliness and protective measures as part of daily discipline; treat fumigation as supportive hygiene rather than sole cure.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dhoopana / Fumigation Therapy and Protective Incense)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fumigant is prepared by mixing equal nakha and devadāru, then binding with beeswax; smoke is wafted over clothing and around the body as protective incense.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, interior of a traditional house, brazier with gentle smoke, practitioner wafting smoke over folded garments, devadāru branches depicted, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted incense brazier, ornate textile bundle being fumigated, beeswax lump and cedar chips shown prominently, devotional-purificatory ambiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional layout: equal measures of nakha and devadāru, beeswax binder, brazier, then fumigation of deha and vastra; clean lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard scene with attendants holding garments near a smoking censer, detailed jars of aromatics, delicate smoke curls, patterned carpets and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवदारुञ्च → देवदारु + च; कृत्वाथ → कृत्वा + अथ; देहवस्त्रादिधूपनात् = देह + वस्त्र + आदि + धूपनात्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (dhoopana and rakṣā-kalpa cluster)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic dhoopana (medicinal fumigation) formula: equal parts of nakha and devadāru, bound/mixed with beeswax, to be used as protective fumigation for the body, clothes, and related items.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical health-technology—recipes for disinfecting or protecting persons and belongings via aromatic fumigation—showing its coverage of applied Ayurveda and domestic/ritual hygiene.
Fumigation of the body and garments is treated as a purificatory act that supports cleanliness and auspiciousness, helping maintain ritual fitness (śauca) and ward off inauspicious influences while performing daily and religious duties.