Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Chapter 280 — रसादिलक्षणम् / सर्वरोगहराण्यौषधानि
Characteristics of Taste and Related Factors; Medicines that Remove All Diseases
क्षयस्य बृंहणं कार्यं स्थुलदेहस्य कर्षणम् रक्षणं मध्यकायस्य देहभेदास्त्रयो मताः
kṣayasya bṛṃhaṇaṃ kāryaṃ sthuladehasya karṣaṇam rakṣaṇaṃ madhyakāyasya dehabhedāstrayo matāḥ
สำหรับผู้ที่ซูบผอมควรกระทำการบำบัดแบบบฤṃหณะ (บำรุงและเสริมกำลัง); สำหรับผู้ที่ร่างกายใหญ่ควรกระทำการบำบัดแบบกรฺษณะ (ลดและทำให้ผอม); และสำหรับผู้ที่สรีระปานกลางควรรักษาและคุ้มครอง. ดังนี้จึงนับว่ามีสภาพกายสามประเภท.
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Choose brṃhaṇa (building), karśana (reducing), or rakṣaṇa (maintenance) therapy based on body-build to avoid inappropriate diet/drug regimens.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Deha-bheda (Three body-types) and corresponding chikitsā","lookup_keywords":["deha-bheda","brṃhaṇa","karśana","rakṣaṇa","kṣaya-sthaulya"],"quick_summary":"Therapy is matched to constitution: emaciation needs nourishing/building, obesity needs reducing, and medium build needs maintenance/protection."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Yukti (appropriateness): treatment must fit the patient’s state, avoiding one-size-fits-all.
Application: Before prescribing diet/medicine, classify the patient’s build and aim (build/reduce/maintain) to prevent iatrogenic harm.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Deha-pariksha & Chikitsa: body-types and therapeutic approach)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic physician classifies three patients—emaciated, obese, and medium-built—indicating three corresponding therapeutic paths: nourishing, reducing, and maintenance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, traditional vaidya with palm-leaf manuscript, three seated patients of distinct body types (thin, stout, medium), symbolic bowls labeled brṃhaṇa/karśana/rakṣaṇa, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vaidya figure with ornate halo-like arch motif, three patient figures in panels, gold-leaf highlights on vessels of ghee/gruel (brṃhaṇa) and light gruel/herbs (karśana), rich maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau with fine linework, physician pointing to a simple chart of three deha-bhedas, subtle shading, calm clinic interior, emphasis on didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly physician in a small dispensary, three patients in profile with attendants, labeled scrolls for therapies, delicate textiles, detailed faces, balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देहभेदास्त्रयो = देहभेदाः + त्रयः (visarga sandhi: ाः + त् → ास् + त्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279 (Ayurveda preliminaries/diagnosis context); Agni Purana 280 (chikitsā, āhāra-vihāra, bhaiṣajya-kalpanā sequence)
FAQs
Ayurvedic therapeutic triage: apply bṛṃhaṇa (nourishing therapy) for depletion, karṣaṇa (reducing therapy) for corpulence, and rakṣaṇa (maintenance) for a balanced physique.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium by embedding practical medical doctrine—body-type assessment and matching treatment—alongside its many other domains (ritual, polity, arts, and sciences).
By prescribing moderation—nourish the depleted, reduce excess, and preserve balance—it supports dharmic living through health, self-regulation, and the maintenance of a body fit for religious duties and disciplined practice.