Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Daṣṭa-cikitsā (Treatment for Bites) — Mantra-Dhyāna-Auṣadha Protocols for Viṣa
सुष्टिस्तार्क्षकरस्यान्तःस्थिताङ्गुष्ठविषापहा तार्क्षं हस्तं समुद्यम्य तत्पञ्चाङ्गुलिचालनात्
suṣṭistārkṣakarasyāntaḥsthitāṅguṣṭhaviṣāpahā tārkṣaṃ hastaṃ samudyamya tatpañcāṅgulicālanāt
‘สุษฏิ’ ซึ่งอยู่ภายในท่ามือแห่งตารกษะ โดยให้นิ้วหัวแม่มืออยู่ด้านใน เป็นสิ่งขจัดพิษ เมื่อยกท่ามือตารกษะขึ้น แล้วขยับนิ้วทั้งห้า พิษย่อมสงบลง
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"A specific anti-poison hand-gesture (Tārkṣa-hand) with thumb placement and five-finger movement to dispel poison; used as emergency protective practice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Suṣṭi Mudrā in Tārkṣa-hasta for Viṣāpaha","lookup_keywords":["Suṣṭi","Tārkṣa-hasta","mudrā","pañcāṅguli-cālana","viṣāpaha"],"quick_summary":"Form the Suṣṭi within the Tārkṣa-hand by placing the thumb inside; raise the hand and shake/move all five fingers to drive out poison."}
Concept: The body can function as a ritual instrument; specific configurations (mudrā) channel protective intent and mantra-force.
Application: Memorize the hand-configuration and sequence (thumb inside; raise; five-finger movement) for rapid deployment in emergencies.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Visha-chikitsa / Anti-venom measures and protective mantras-mudras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close-up instructional scene of the Tārkṣa-hand: thumb tucked inside, hand raised; the practitioner shakes/moves all five fingers to expel poison, with a subtle Garuḍa aura implied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged hand gesture in foreground with bold outlines, thumb tucked, five fingers in motion lines, small Garuḍa emblem behind, subdued serpent/poison motif dissolving","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, dramatic close-up of raised hand mudrā with gold foil highlights, ornate bangles, Garuḍa insignia, poison motif breaking apart, rich saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step panels: (1) thumb inside (2) raise hand (3) five-finger movement, clean linework, soft shading, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hand study with motion indicated by fine strokes, practitioner in profile, faint Garuḍa aura, poison symbol dispersing, elegant border and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: suṣṭistārkṣa- = सुष्टिः + तार्क्ष-; karasyāntaḥsthitā- = करस्य + अन्तःस्थित-; viṣāpahā = विष + अपहा; tatpañcāṅguli- = तत् + पञ्चाङ्गुलि-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 294 (Tārkṣya rakṣā-kalpa; mudrā/mantra against viṣa)
FAQs
It teaches an anti-venom procedure using the Garuḍa-associated ‘Tārkṣa-hand’ and the ‘Suṣṭi’ configuration, where raising the hand and moving the five fingers is stated to dispel poison.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical toxicology (viṣa-pratikāra) by recording specific therapeutic-ritual techniques (mudrā-based antidotal actions), showing its wide coverage of applied sciences.
By invoking a Garuḍa/Tārkṣya-linked protective method, the act functions as both a remedy and a purification/protection rite, aimed at removing harmful impurity (poison) and restoring bodily-spiritual safety.