Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 7
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
घृततैलपरीपाकं स्थानं वातविवर्जितं स्कन्धेषु च क्रिया कर्या तथा पालकवन्नृपाः
ghṛtatailaparīpākaṃ sthānaṃ vātavivarjitaṃ skandheṣu ca kriyā karyā tathā pālakavannṛpāḥ
应当备置一处以酥油（ghṛta）与油调制温润、并避绝风邪（vāta）之所；并依此为肩部施行疗治之法——诸王啊——当如抚育幼子般谨慎周到。
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Therapeutic setup and procedure guidance: prepare an oleated (ghee/oil-processed) treatment area protected from drafts; perform shoulder therapy carefully, emphasizing nursing-like attentiveness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sneha-paripaka and Vata-rahita chikitsa-sthana for skandha-kriya","lookup_keywords":["chikitsa","ghrita","taila","vata-vivarjita","skandha-kriya"],"quick_summary":"For shoulder treatment, arrange a warm, oleated environment using ghee and oil and keep it free from drafts; perform the procedure gently and attentively, like caring for a child."}
Dosha: Vata
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Raja’s duty includes protection through care—healing and attentive nursing are part of righteous governance.
Application: Institutionalize infirmary standards in royal establishments: warm rooms, controlled airflow, proper oleation materials, and compassionate bedside manner.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Chikitsa / Therapeutic Procedures)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A healer prepares warmed ghee and oil in a sheltered room, then performs gentle shoulder therapy on a patient while attendants block drafts; the care is tender like nursing a child.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, interior treatment room with oil lamps, healer applying warm oil to the shoulder, attendants holding cloth screens against wind, earthy tones and serene faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on vessels and lamps, a royal infirmary scene: physician with ghrita-taila bowls, patient seated, attendants respectfully assisting, devotional calm.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of a draft-free room setup, warmed oil preparation, stepwise shoulder procedure, fine linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed indoor clinic with copper vessels, physician massaging shoulder with warm oil, attendants and textiles indicating warmth and protection from drafts, intimate realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Anandabhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ghṛtatailaparīpākaṃ parsed as ghṛta-taila-parīpākam (tatpuruṣa). vātavivarjitaṃ parsed as vāta-vivarjitam. pālakavannṛpāḥ → pālakavat nṛpāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ayurveda/Chikitsa—snehana, swedana and vata disorders (contextual); Agni Purana: Rajadharma—king’s duty to protect and maintain welfare
FAQs
It gives a clinical instruction from Ayurveda: perform shoulder therapy using properly warmed/processed ghee and oil, in a draft-free environment, with gentle, careful handling.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical healthcare protocols—here, procedural details of treatment-setting and oleation-based therapy—showing its coverage of applied sciences like Ayurveda.
By prescribing compassionate, careful treatment and proper conduct in healing, the verse aligns medical practice with dharma—reducing harm, supporting wellbeing, and thus accruing merit through righteous care.