Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 15
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
पर्याप्तशर्करं पीत्वा श्रमाद्वाजी विमुच्यते द्रोणिकायान्तु दातव्या तैलवस्तिस्तुरङ्गमे
paryāptaśarkaraṃ pītvā śramādvājī vimucyate droṇikāyāntu dātavyā tailavastisturaṅgame
بعد شرب مقدارٍ كافٍ من ماء السكر يتحرر الحصان من الإعياء. وللحصان ينبغي إعطاء حقنة شرجية بالزيت (taila-vasti) بمقدار droṇikā كجرعة.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Veterinary (aśva-cikitsā): relieve equine fatigue with sugar-water and administer taila-vasti in a specified dose (droṇikā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśva-śrama-hara śarkarā-jala and droṇikā-māna taila-vasti","lookup_keywords":["ashva","shrama","sharkara-jala","taila-vasti","dronika"],"quick_summary":"For a fatigued horse, give adequate sugar-water for quick restoration; then administer an oil enema with a droṇikā measure as the dose."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Mātrā (dose-measure) and krama (sequence): hydration/support first, then śamana via basti.
Application: In exertion-related vāta states, prioritize replenishment and lubrication; follow measured dosing rather than guesswork.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Veterinary / Ashva-chikitsa: horse-care remedies)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stable-side veterinary treatment: an attendant offers sugar-water to a tired horse; a vaidya prepares an oil enema with a measured vessel indicating droṇikā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized horse with ornate harness, attendant holding a bowl of sweet water, vaidya with bronze oil pot and measuring ladle, flat perspective, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly adorned horse and caretaker, gold-highlighted vessels (oil pot, measure), symmetrical composition, decorative floral borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of droṇikā measure beside oil container, calm stable interior, fine detailing of tools and posture of horse.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court stable scene with groom and physician, detailed tack and textiles, small labeled measure vessel, refined architectural background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पर्याप्तशर्करं → पर्याप्त-शर्करम्; श्रमाद्वाजी → श्रमात् वाजी; द्रोणिकायान्तु → द्रोणिकायाम् तु; तैलवस्तिस्तुरङ्गमे → तैल-वस्तिः तुरङ्गमे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (Aśva-cikitsā subsections on basti, pāna, and māna/pramāṇa)
FAQs
It gives a practical Ashva-chikitsa (equine veterinary Ayurveda) instruction: relieve a fatigued horse by giving a sufficient sweet drink (śarkarā) and administering a taila-vasti (oil enema) with a specified measure (droṇikā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, veterinary therapeutics for horses—showing its wide coverage of health sciences, dosing/measures, and practical care for animals used in transport and warfare.
While primarily medical, caring properly for dependent beings (like horses) aligns with dharma: it supports non-harm (ahiṃsā), responsible stewardship, and the merit of compassionate maintenance of life and livelihood.