Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 6
Chapter 291 — Śāntyāyurveda
Ayurveda for Pacificatory Rites): Go-śānti, Penance-Regimens, and Therapeutics (incl. Veterinary Care
गवां श्वासात् पवित्रा भूः स्पर्शनात्किल्विषक्षयः गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिः कुशोदकम्
gavāṃ śvāsāt pavitrā bhūḥ sparśanātkilviṣakṣayaḥ gomūtraṃ gomayaṃ kṣīraṃ dadhi sarpiḥ kuśodakam
由牛之气息，大地得以清净；由其触碰，罪垢消灭。同样具净化力者：牛尿、牛粪、乳、凝乳、酥油（ghee），以及以库沙草（kuśa）所加持的净水。
Lord Agni (Agni Purana’s primary narrator, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Purification practice: recognizing cows and cow-products (plus kuśa-sanctified water) as pavitra substances for śauca and prāyaścitta contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pavitra-dravya: gau-śvāsa, sparśa, and pañcagavya with kuśodaka","lookup_keywords":["shauca","pavitra","panchagavya","kusodaka","prayascitta"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists purifiers: the cow’s breath and touch, and substances like cow-urine, dung, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-sanctified water—used for cleansing and expiation."}
Concept: Śauca as both inner and outer purification: contact with the cow and specified substances is held to remove pāpa/kilbiṣa and restore ritual fitness.
Application: In prāyaścitta/ritual contexts, employ recognized pavitra-dravyas with disciplined conduct; pair symbolic purification with tangible cleanliness and ethical correction.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Śauca (Purification rites; Pavitratā of cow-products)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharma
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A purification rite: kuśa grass placed in a water vessel (kuśodaka), alongside vessels of milk, curd, ghee, gomūtra, and gomaya; a cow nearby symbolizing purifying breath and touch; a practitioner performing śauca.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard with cow at side, priest holding kuśa and sprinkling kuśodaka, arranged pañcagavya vessels, warm earthy palette, emphasis on sanctity and cleanliness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central kalasha with kuśa and gold highlights, neatly arranged pañcagavya containers, cow adorned with gold ornaments, priest performing sprinkling, luminous sacred atmosphere.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear stepwise depiction: kuśa inserted into water, sprinkling for śauca, labeled vessels of pañcagavya, calm instructional composition with fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined ritual scene with detailed vessels and textiles, cow standing quietly, practitioner sprinkling sanctified water, architectural backdrop of a household shrine area."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्पर्शनात्किल्विषक्षयः = स्पर्शनात् + किल्विष-क्षयः; कुशोदकम् = कुश + उदकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Śauca and prāyaścitta chapters; Agni Purana: Bhaiṣajya/rakṣā lists involving pañcagavya
FAQs
It teaches śauca/prāyaścitta praxis: purification through contact with cows and through specific purifying substances—gomūtra, gomaya, milk, curd, ghee, and kuśa-sanctified water—commonly aligned with pañcagavya-based cleansing.
Beyond mythology, it records applied dharma-ritual technology: concrete materials and methods used for impurity-removal and expiation, showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-like coverage of religious law, domestic rites, and purification protocols.
It frames purity as karmically effective: association with cows and prescribed purifiers is said to diminish kilviṣa (sin/defilement), restoring ritual fitness and supporting meritorious religious practice.