Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 40
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
कटुकं दन्तकाष्ठञ्च गोमूत्रे वासितं त्र्यहं कृतञ्च पूगवद्राम मुखसौगन्धिकारकं
kaṭukaṃ dantakāṣṭhañca gomūtre vāsitaṃ tryahaṃ kṛtañca pūgavadrāma mukhasaugandhikārakaṃ
కటుక ద్రవ్యాలు మరియు దంతకాష్ఠాన్ని గోమూత్రంలో మూడు రోజులు నానబెట్టి, తరువాత పూగువలె (సుపారీ ముక్కలా) తయారు చేస్తే—ఓ రామా—అది నోటికి సువాసన కలిగించేది అవుతుంది.
Lord Agni (instructing; address ‘O Rāma’ occurs within the instructional style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Preparation of mouth-fragrance/oral hygiene items by soaking pungent aromatics and a tooth-stick in cow’s urine for three days, then shaping/processing for use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Go-mūtra-vāsita dantakāṣṭha and kaṭuka-dravya mouth-fragrance preparation","lookup_keywords":["go-mūtra","dantakāṣṭha (tooth-stick)","trī-ahna vāsana (3 days)","kaṭuka-dravya","mukha-saugandhya"],"quick_summary":"Soak pungent aromatics and a tooth-stick in cow’s urine for three days, then process into areca-like pieces to create a mouth-fragrance maker. Highlights timed soaking as a key processing step."}
Concept: Kāla (time) as an active factor in saṃskāra: trī-ahna soaking changes properties and usability.
Application: In pharmacy, specify duration and medium of soaking/infusion as essential parameters for reproducibility and intended effect.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Oral hygiene, deodorant, and mouth-perfume formulations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tooth-stick and pungent aromatics submerged in a covered vessel labeled go-mūtra for three days; later shaped into small areca-like pieces for mouth fragrance and oral care.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthen pot with lid marked go-mūtra, tooth-sticks soaking, bowls of pungent spices nearby, later scene of shaping small pieces, muted traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold detailing, ritualized preparation: covered vessel, neatly arranged dantakāṣṭhas, aromatic spices, finished areca-like pieces on a tray, auspicious domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical step-sequence: soak for three days (calendar marks), remove and dry, shape like pūga pieces, intended oral-use depiction, clear labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, apothecary workshop: jars and tooth-sticks, attendant noting three-day period, finished mouth-freshener pieces presented to a patron, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दन्तकाष्ठञ्च→दन्त-काष्ठम्+च; त्र्यहं→त्रि-अहम् (द्विगु); कृतञ्च→कृतम्+च; पूगवद्राम→पूगवत्+राम.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (mukha-saugandhya, dantakāṣṭha-related preparations)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic-style preparation for mouth fragrance: soak pungent aromatics and a tooth-stick in cow’s urine for three days, then form it like an areca/betel-nut piece to use as a mouth-deodorant/mouth-perfume.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical health regimens (dinacaryā-like guidance) such as dental cleaning and oral deodorants, showing its wide coverage of applied medicine and household practice.
By promoting bodily cleanliness and purity of speech-related organs (mouth/teeth), it supports ritual fitness and sattvic conduct—cleanliness being treated as conducive to merit and proper religious observance.