Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
The Six Limbs (Ṣaḍaṅga) of the Aghora-Astra (अघोरास्त्राणि षडङ्गानि)
हंसबीजन्तु विन्यस्य विषन्तु त्रिविधं हरेत् अगुरुञ्चन्दनं कुष्ठं कुङ्कुमं नागकेशरम्
haṃsabījantu vinyasya viṣantu trividhaṃ haret aguruñcandanaṃ kuṣṭhaṃ kuṅkumaṃ nāgakeśaram
เมื่อวาง “หังสบีชะ” แล้ว พึงขจัดพิษสามประการ โดยใช้ไม้กฤษณา จันทน์หอม โกฐ กุṅกุม (หญ้าฝรั่น) และนาคเกศร
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Anti-viṣa (poison-countering) formulation using aromatic dravyas, potentially as paste, drink adjunct, or protective application alongside a bīja/mantra component.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tri-viṣa-pratighāta with Haṃsabīja and aromatic dravyas","lookup_keywords":["viṣa","tri-viṣa","haṃsabīja","aguru","candana"],"quick_summary":"A tri-fold poison is counteracted by adding haṃsabīja and employing a blend of aguru, sandalwood, kuṣṭha, saffron, and nāgakeśara—cooling and fragrant dravyas commonly used for viṣa-śamana and rakṣā."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Dravya-guṇa and mantra-bīja as combined upāya for rakṣā and śamana.
Application: Integrate material remedies (gandha-dravya) with sanctioned ritual intent for protection, while keeping actions dhārmic and non-harmful.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Medicinal preparations and ritual-therapeutic formulations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An Ayurvedic practitioner prepares a fragrant anti-poison compound: powders of aguru, sandalwood, kuṣṭha, saffron, and nāgakeśara are mixed while a bīja (haṃsa) is ritually placed/intoned for protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, vaidya in traditional attire grinding aromatic herbs on a stone slab, small palm-leaf manuscript nearby, subtle sacred syllable motif ‘haṃsa’ in the background, calm protective atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, ornate vessels holding aguru and candana, saffron strands highlighted, a protective yantra-like halo behind the medicine bowl, rich maroon backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing labeled herb bowls (aguru, candana, kuṣṭha, kuṅkuma, nāgakeśara), practitioner measuring equal portions, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed apothecary scene with small jars and spices, physician mixing powders, attendants holding sandalwood and saffron, delicate floral border, naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हंसबीजन्तु → हंसबीजम् + तु; विषन्तु → विषम् + तु; अगुरुञ्चन्दनम् → अगुरु + च + चन्दनम्; कुङ्कुमञ्च → कुङ्कुमम् + च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 322 (Ayurveda/Mantra-prayoga context)
FAQs
It gives an Agada-Tantra (Ayurvedic toxicology) instruction: a formulation using haṃsabīja along with aromatic drugs (aguru, candana, kuṣṭha, kuṅkuma, nāgakeśara) intended to neutralize ‘three kinds’ of poison.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences—here, practical toxicology and materia medica—showing its wide coverage of medical recipes and therapeutic substances.
By prescribing purification and protection from poison through sanctioned substances, it aligns bodily safeguarding with dharmic living—preserving life (prāṇa-rakṣā) is treated as a meritorious, protective act.