Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 66
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
स्याद्दण्डसमपक्षाभ्यामतिक्रान्तो दृढः स्मृतः भवेत्स पक्षकक्षाभ्यामतिक्रान्तः प्रदारकः
syāddaṇḍasamapakṣābhyāmatikrānto dṛḍhaḥ smṛtaḥ bhavetsa pakṣakakṣābhyāmatikrāntaḥ pradārakaḥ
اگر نبض کی رفتار ‘دَṇḍa’ اور ‘samapakṣa’ کہلانے والے دونوں پیمانوں سے بڑھ جائے تو اسے ‘dṛḍha’ (مضبوط/ثابت) یاد کیا گیا ہے۔ اور اگر وہ ‘pakṣa’ اور ‘kakṣā’ سے بھی تجاوز کرے تو اسے ‘pradāraka’ (چیر دینے والی/شدید) کہتے ہیں۔
Lord Agni (teaching to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Nāḍī-parīkṣā classification: identify pulse types by comparative thresholds to infer severity/prognosis and guide urgency of care.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nāḍī-bheda: Dṛḍha and Pradāraka pulse by surpassing named measures","lookup_keywords":["nāḍī-parīkṣā","dṛḍha-nāḍī","pradāraka-nāḍī","daṇḍa","samapakṣa"],"quick_summary":"When the pulse exceeds the measures termed daṇḍa and samapakṣa it is classified as dṛḍha (firm). When it exceeds pakṣa and kakṣā it is called pradāraka (tearing/violent), indicating a more forceful, potentially dangerous movement."}
Concept: Pramāṇa by comparative markers: knowledge through graded classification and naming
Application: Clinical reasoning: standardize observation terms so multiple physicians can communicate severity consistently.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Roga-lakṣaṇa / Nāḍī-parīkṣā: pulse diagnosis and prognostic signs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician palpates a patient’s wrist, comparing pulse strength to named categories; a small side chart shows the labels daṇḍa, samapakṣa, pakṣa, kakṣā leading to dṛḍha and pradāraka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vaidya seated with palm on patient’s wrist, herbal jars in background, stylized labels near the wrist indicating pulse categories, calm clinic setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, physician and patient with gold detailing on vessels and ornaments, inset medallions naming dṛḍha and pradāraka, rich warm tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional medical scene with fine lines: close-up of wrist palpation, annotated ladder of pulse categories, gentle colors and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, hakim/vaidya examining pulse in a chamber, attendants holding records, detailed textiles; marginal notes showing dṛḍha and pradāraka terms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्दण्ड... = स्यात् दण्ड...; भवेत्स = भवेत् सः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda on nāḍī-lakṣaṇa and roga-lakṣaṇa (surrounding verses)
FAQs
It gives Ayurvedic diagnostic terminology: how a pulse is named when it exceeds specific comparative measures (daṇḍa/samapakṣa → dṛḍha; pakṣa/kakṣā → pradāraka), aiding clinical identification of pulse intensity.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like Ayurveda; this verse is a technical snippet of medical diagnostics (nāḍī-lakṣaṇa), showing the text’s compendium-style coverage.
Accurate diagnosis supports proper treatment and relief of suffering (duḥkha-nivṛtti), aligning medical practice with dharma by sustaining life and enabling religious duties and disciplined living.