Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 16
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
तैलमूषणसंयुक्तं गलग्रहगदापहम् अष्टभिर्लवणैः पिष्ठैः प्रसन्नाः पाययेद्घृतम्
tailamūṣaṇasaṃyuktaṃ galagrahagadāpaham aṣṭabhirlavaṇaiḥ piṣṭhaiḥ prasannāḥ pāyayedghṛtam
Ang ghee na inihanda kasama ng langis at pampainit/pampaalab na sangkap ay nag-aalis ng mga karamdaman ng pagbabara ng lalamunan (galagraha) at sakit sa lalamunan. Kapag ito’y luminaw nang mabuti at nahalo sa paste na mula sa walong uri ng asin, ipainom ang ghee na iyon.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Prepare and administer a drinkable medicated ghee with heating adjunct and paste of eight salts to relieve throat obstruction and throat disease.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Galagraha-hara ghṛta with uṣṇa-yoga and aṣṭa-lavaṇa-kalka","lookup_keywords":["galagraha","ghṛta","uṣṇa (heating adjunct)","aṣṭa-lavaṇa","kaṇṭha-roga"],"quick_summary":"Medicate ghee with a heating adjunct and blend in a paste of eight salts; administer orally to alleviate throat obstruction and related throat disorders."}
Dosha: Kapha
Concept: Samskṛta-sneha (properly processed ghee) becomes a carrier for penetrating agents (lavaṇa, uṣṇa) to resolve obstruction.
Application: Codifies a reproducible throat-remedy preparation and administration route (pāna).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pot of ghee being clarified and mixed with a paste of eight salts; a patient with throat obstruction is given the medicated ghee to drink.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, large brass pot of ghṛta, eight small bowls of different salts arranged in a semicircle, physician stirring and then offering a cup to a patient touching the throat; bold, flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work, gleaming vessels, eight salt bowls with ornate detailing, physician offering ghṛta-pāna; rich textile backdrop and decorative frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction: step of making kalka from salts, then blending into clarified ghṛta; patient shown in profile swallowing; fine linework and soft tones.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed kitchen-pharmacy scene with labeled salt bowls, clarified butter pot, physician administering; realistic textures of crystals and ghee sheen; architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टभिर्लवणैः = अष्टभिः + लवणैः; पाययेद्घृतम् = पाययेत् + घृतम् (द् + घ् संधि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Khanda 286 (ghee/oil preparations; throat remedies)
FAQs
It gives an Ayurvedic therapeutic instruction: prepare and orally administer a medicated ghee processed with oil, a heating adjunct, and a paste of the “eight salts,” indicated for galagraha (throat constriction/obstruction) and related throat ailments.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical medical formulations (chikitsā)—here, a precise ghṛta-based remedy with defined processing substances (oil, heating agent, aṣṭa-lavaṇa), illustrating its role as a compendium of applied sciences alongside ritual and dharma.
In Purāṇic framing, preserving health supports dharma and daily rites; relieving obstructive throat disease enables recitation, breath regulation, and ritual participation—thus indirectly sustaining religious practice and merit through bodily fitness.