Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
दन्तकाष्ठं हृदा जप्तं क्षीरवृक्षादिसम्भवम् संशोध्य दन्तान् संक्षिप्त्वा प्रज्ञाल्यैतत् क्षिपेद्भुवि
dantakāṣṭhaṃ hṛdā japtaṃ kṣīravṛkṣādisambhavam saṃśodhya dantān saṃkṣiptvā prajñālyaitat kṣipedbhuvi
Pagkatapos bigkasin sa isip ang mantra (japa), kumuha ng panglinis-ngipin na patpat na mula sa mga punong may katas na parang gatas at iba pa. Matapos linisin ang mga ngipin, tipunin ito, banlawan nang mabuti, at saka itapon sa lupa.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dinacharya and shaucha: selecting an appropriate tooth-stick (from milky trees), mantra-minded use, proper cleaning, rinsing, and hygienic disposal.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dantadhavana with Kṣīra-vṛkṣa Tooth-stick (Dinacharya)","lookup_keywords":["dantakāṣṭha","kṣīra-vṛkṣa","dinacaryā","śauca","danta-śodhana"],"quick_summary":"For daily hygiene, use a tooth-stick from suitable milky trees, cleanse the teeth, rinse the stick, and discard it properly; the act is framed as both bodily cleanliness and ritual purity supported by mental mantra-recitation."}
Concept: Outer cleanliness supports inner discipline; routine acts become sādhana when done with mindful mantra and proper conduct.
Application: Integrate hygiene into daily vrata-like discipline: mindful performance, correct materials, and respectful disposal.
Khanda Section: Dinacharya (Ayurveda) and Shaucha-vidhi (Purificatory daily rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person at dawn performing dental cleansing with a tooth-stick from a milky tree, then rinsing it and discarding it on the ground as part of daily purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, early morning courtyard, figure holding dantakāṣṭha, water pot nearby, banyan/fig-like milky tree suggested, calm earthy tones, emphasis on purity ritual.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dawn scene with ornate water vessel, figure performing dantadhavana, stylized milky tree, gold accents on pot and border, devotional domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional: correct length/handling of tooth-stick, rinsing action, disposal on ground, minimal background, fine linework and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden setting at sunrise, figure cleaning teeth with twig, attendant with ewer, detailed flora, naturalistic palette and delicate brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्षीरवृक्षादिसम्भवम् → क्षीर-वृक्ष-आदि-सम्भवम्. प्रज्ञाल्य + एतत् → प्रज्ञाल्यैतत्. क्षिपेत् + भुवि → क्षिपेद्भुवि (t/d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dinacharya/Shaucha-vidhi passages on snana, ācamana, and bodily purification
FAQs
It prescribes danta-dhavana using a dantakāṣṭha from latex-bearing (kṣīravṛkṣa) trees, accompanied by mental japa, followed by proper disposal—combining Ayurvedic oral hygiene with ritual purity.
Alongside theology and rites, the Agni Purana records practical health-regimens (dinacharya) such as oral care, showing it functions as a compendium of daily-life science, conduct, and ritual procedure.
Mental japa sanctifies the act of cleansing, and careful washing/disposal maintains śauca (purity), supporting disciplined living that is considered conducive to merit and inner clarity.