Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 30

Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ

Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences

Devanagari script

त्वङ्मुरानलदैस्तुल्यैर् वालकार्धसमायुतैः स्नानमुत्पलगन्धि स्यात् सतैलं कुङ्कुमायते

Transliteration

tvaṅmurānaladaistulyair vālakārdhasamāyutaiḥ snānamutpalagandhi syāt satailaṃ kuṅkumāyate

Translation

ส্নานะที่ปรุงด้วย ตฺวกะ (อบเชย) มุรา และนลดะ ในสัดส่วนเท่ากัน พร้อมวาลกาเพียงครึ่งส่วน ย่อมหอมดุจดอกบัว; และเมื่อผสมน้ำมันแล้ว ย่อมมีลักษณะดุจหญ้าฝรั่น (กุงกุมะ)

Word by Word

• tvak-murā-naladaiḥ: with tvak (bark), murā, and nalada
• tvak-murā-naladaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvac (प्रातिपदिक) + murā (प्रातिपदिक) + nalada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व used as ingredient-list

• tulyaiḥ: in equal parts
• tulyaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tulya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); agreeing with tvak-murā-naladaiḥ

• vālaka-ardha-samāyutaiḥ: combined with half (a measure) of vālaka
• vālaka-ardha-samāyutaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vālaka (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक) + samāyuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘vālakasya ardham’ + ‘samāyuta’ = ‘combined with half (measure) of vālaka’

• snānam: the bath-mixture
• snānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• utpala-gandhi: lotus-scented
• utpala-gandhi: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utpala (प्रातिपदिक) + gandhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘utpalasya gandhaḥ asya’ (lotus-scented)

• syāt: would be/should become
• syāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• sa-tailaṃ: with oil
• sa-tailaṃ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक) + taila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘tailena saha’ = ‘with oil’

• kuṅkumāyate: becomes like saffron / takes on saffron-color
• kuṅkumāyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kuṅkuma-√āy (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद); denominative (नामधातु) from kuṅkuma

Speaker

Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Creating a perfumed bath blend with specified proportions to achieve lotus-like fragrance and saffron-like character when oil is added.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Utpala-gandhi snāna-yoga: tvak–murā–nalada equal, vālakā half; with oil becomes kuṅkuma-like","lookup_keywords":["snāna-yoga","tvak","nalada","utpala-gandha","kuṅkuma"],"quick_summary":"Mix cinnamon bark, murā, and nalada in equal parts with half-part vālakā to produce a lotus-fragrant bath; adding oil shifts the scent/effect toward saffron-like richness."}

Kavya & Alamkara Layer

Alamkara Type: Rupaka

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-kriyā mapping: proportion and carrier (oil) transform perceived guṇa (scent, persistence, ‘character’).

Application: In perfumery/cosmetic therapeutics, adjust ratios and carriers to modulate fragrance profile and duration on skin.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Gandha-dravya & Snana-yoga: perfumed bath formulations)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Equal measures of cinnamon bark, murā, and nalada are mixed with half-measure vālakā; oil is poured in, and the blend is presented as lotus-fragrant and saffron-like.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; stylized lotus motifs in the border, bowls of powdered aromatics, oil stream painted as decorative ribbon, warm ochres and reds, serene bath-prep scene.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; gold-leaf highlights on oil vessel and lotus motifs, rich saffron hues, central bowl of aromatic paste, opulent yet instructional composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; precise proportional layout (equal parts + half part) shown with measuring spoons, clean lines, soft colors, emphasis on formula accuracy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; perfumer-vaidya mixing aromatics in a porcelain bowl, oil flask, lotus flowers nearby, detailed textiles and architecture, refined sensory atmosphere."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Pahadi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: tvaṅmurānaladais → tvak-murā-naladaiḥ; tulyair → tulyaiḥ; vālakārdhasamāyutaiḥ → vālaka-ardha-samāyutaiḥ; snānamutpalagandhi → snānam utpala-gandhi; satailaṃ → sa-tailaṃ.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Gandha-dravya & snāna-yoga context)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Ayurveda
• Tvak (cinnamon)
• Nalada (spikenard)
• Utpala (lotus)
• Kunkuma (saffron)
• Taila (oil)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives a precise aromatic bath formula (snāna-yoga): equal parts of tvak, murā, and nalada with half-part vālakā to create a lotus-like fragrance; with oil added, it yields a saffron-like aromatic effect.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical applied knowledge—here, Ayurvedic/perfumery-style measurements and ingredient-combinations for bathing and unguents, reflecting household, ritual, and wellness technologies.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Fragrant bathing functions as external and ritual purification, supporting cleanliness and auspiciousness for worship and daily rites, and is traditionally associated with enhancing sattva (refinement) and devotional readiness.