Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 12
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
शिखितित्तिरिलावानां पिप्पलीमरिचान्वितैः रसैः सम्भोजयेन्नगं वेपथुर्यस्य जायते
śikhitittirilāvānāṃ pippalīmaricānvitaiḥ rasaiḥ sambhojayennagaṃ vepathuryasya jāyate
若有人生颤动（vepathu），当以那伽（nāga，铅）令其可服，并和孔雀与鹧鸪之榨汁（rasa），复配长胡椒（pippalī）与黑胡椒（marica）而施与。
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Management of tremors (vepathu) via a specified compound administration: nāga combined with animal-derived juices and pungent spices (pippalī, marica).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Vepathu (Tremors): Nāga with Śikhī–Tittiri Rasa and Pippalī–Marica","lookup_keywords":["vepathu","nāga","śikhī-rasa","tittiri-rasa","pippalī","marica"],"quick_summary":"For tremors, the text prescribes administering nāga made ingestible with the expressed juices of peacock and partridge, fortified with long pepper and black pepper—aimed at stabilizing vāta and improving neuromuscular steadiness."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Dravya-saṃyoga for vāta-vikāra: combining uṣṇa-tīkṣṇa dīpana agents with strengthening adjuncts to address tremor.
Application: Treat tremor as a vāta-dominant disorder requiring warming, stabilizing measures—implemented through carefully prepared formulations.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Agni Purana medicinal remedies)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A physician prepares a specialized tremor medicine: a small quantity of processed nāga is mixed with pungent powders (pippalī, marica) and measured drops of expressed juices, while a patient with trembling hands sits nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized apothecary scene with mortar and pestle, bowls of pippalī and marica, small vial of rasa, patient depicted with subtle tremor lines, flat decorative background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on medicine containers, central vaidya holding a small pellet, peacock motif subtly in the border, rich colors and iconic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration: labeled ingredients (nāga, pippalī, marica), careful mixing in a mortar, patient posture indicating tremor, fine delicate brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic clinic with detailed tools, physician measuring drops into a mortar, patient with trembling hands, peacock feather fan motif in the room, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिप्पलीमरिचान्वितैः → पिप्पली + मरिच + अन्वितैः; वेपथुर्यस्य → वेपथुः + यस्य
Related Themes: Agni Purana Ayurveda khanda: vāta-vikāra/vepathu mentions; rasa-dravya usage; śodhana concepts
FAQs
This verse imparts Ayurvedic therapeutic knowledge: a treatment for vepathu (tremors) using a compound of pippalī and marica with animal-derived rasas, administered along with nāga (lead) as a medicinal substance.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond myth—preserving practical medical pharmacology (dravya-guna style ingredients and metallic therapeutics), alongside its religious and cultural teachings.
While primarily medical rather than ritual, the instruction reflects the Purāṇic ideal of dharmic care of the body—supporting health as a means to sustain religious duties (svadharma) and disciplined living.