Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 21
Chapter 279 — सिद्धौषधानि (Siddhauṣadhāni, “Perfected Medicines”) — Colophon/Closure
वीर्योष्णाः कफवातघ्नाः शीताः पित्तविनाशनाः प्रभावतस् तथा कर्म ते कुर्वन्ति च सुश्रुत
vīryoṣṇāḥ kaphavātaghnāḥ śītāḥ pittavināśanāḥ prabhāvatas tathā karma te kurvanti ca suśruta
اُشن وِیریہ (گرم قوت) والے مادّے کف اور وات کو دباتے ہیں؛ اور شیت وِیریہ (سرد قوت) والے مادّے پِتّہ کو زائل کرتے ہیں۔ نیز اپنے خاص “پربھاو” کے سبب وہ اپنے اپنے مخصوص افعال بھی انجام دیتے ہیں، اے سُشروت۔
Lord Agni (teaching in an Ayurvedic register; addressing 'Suśruta' as authoritative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Apply Rasapañcaka logic: choose uṣṇa-vīrya drugs for Kapha/Vāta, śīta-vīrya for Pitta; recognize prabhāva as specific action beyond general rules.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vīrya (uṣṇa/śīta) and prabhāva in doṣa-pacification","lookup_keywords":["uṣṇa vīrya","śīta vīrya","prabhāva","kaphavātaghna","pittavināśana"],"quick_summary":"Hot potency alleviates Kapha and Vāta; cold potency alleviates Pitta. Some actions occur by prabhāva—specific potency not reducible to rasa/vipāka/guṇa alone."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Multiple explanatory principles (vīrya and prabhāva) are needed for accurate causation in therapeutics.
Application: When formulating or selecting a drug, prioritize vīrya for doṣa targeting; reserve prabhāva to explain and utilize special-case actions (e.g., unique organ tropism).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Dravyaguna & Rasapanchaka: vīrya–uṣṇa/śīta effects; doṣa-pacification)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two medicine jars labeled uṣṇa-vīrya and śīta-vīrya with arrows to Kapha/Vāta down and Pitta down respectively; a third emblem ‘prabhāva’ shown as a unique sigil indicating special action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-panel composition: warming herbs with flame motif reducing Kapha/Vāta figures, cooling herbs with moon/water motif reducing Pitta flame, central prabhāva symbol as a radiant yantra-like seal; Sanskrit labels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed jars and icons: sun (uṣṇa) and moon (śīta), doṣa figures receiving calming gestures, prabhāva shown as a jeweled medallion; rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic layout with labeled jars, arrows, and a small vignette of a physician noting ‘prabhāva’ in a ledger; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dispensary scene with hakim presenting hot and cold potency drugs; a marginal emblem for prabhāva indicating special efficacy; intricate textiles and calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वीर्योष्णाः→वीर्य उष्णाः; प्रभावतस्→प्रभावतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 279.20 (vipāka); Agni Purana Ayurveda-khaṇḍa sections on dravya-guṇa and rasapañcaka
FAQs
Ayurvedic dravyaguṇa knowledge: classification of substances by potency (vīrya)—hot potency reduces kapha and vāta, cold potency reduces pitta—and recognition of prabhāva (specific potency) as a distinct determinant of therapeutic action.
It demonstrates the Purana’s inclusion of formal Ayurvedic theory (doṣa physiology and pharmacodynamics via vīrya and prabhāva), showing that the Agni Purana functions as a compendium spanning medicine alongside ritual, polity, and arts.
By prescribing discernment in healing through correct understanding of doṣa-balancing properties, the verse supports dharmic care of the body as a vessel for sādhanā; right therapeutic action (yukta-kriyā) is framed as a meritorious, harm-avoiding discipline.