Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 17
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
तत्र देवकुले जातः स्ववाक्यं परिपालय कुले जातस्त्वमश्वानां मित्रं मे भव शास्वतम्
tatra devakule jātaḥ svavākyaṃ paripālaya kule jātastvamaśvānāṃ mitraṃ me bhava śāsvatam
তুমি সেখানে দেবকুলে জন্মেছ; তাই নিজের প্রতিজ্ঞাবাক্য পালন কর। অশ্বদের কুলে জন্ম নিয়ে তুমি আমার চিরস্থায়ী বন্ধু হও।
Lord Agni (primary narrator of the Agni Purana, giving ethical instruction in dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical injunction for loyalty and covenant-keeping within hierarchical bonds (patron–ally/retainer–lord), framed through lineage honor.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Svavākya-paripālana and Śāśvata-maitrī (Enduring Friendship)","lookup_keywords":["svavākya","paripālana","maitrī","kula","aśva-kula"],"quick_summary":"Defines noble conduct as preserving one’s pledged word and sustaining loyal friendship, especially when one’s lineage and role impose duty."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (reasoning by appeal to lineage)
Concept: Kula-dharma and satya: nobility is proven by keeping one’s word and sustaining faithful alliance.
Application: In governance and personal conduct, treat promises as binding; build durable alliances through consistent reliability.
Khanda Section: Niti / Rajadharma (Ethics of duty, loyalty, and social conduct)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble figure addresses a well-bred horse/companion, emphasizing lineage and the sanctity of a pledged word; the scene conveys mutual trust.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dignified speaker with raised hand in instruction, horse adorned yet calm, background with subtle divine lineage motifs (aura, celestial emblems), strong outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, patron and horse facing each other, gold-highlighted ornaments signifying nobility, inscription-like band suggesting ‘svavākya’, warm devotional-ethical tone","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, gentle palette, clear facial expressions of trust, minimal background, emphasis on didactic gesture and attentive posture of the horse","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting, refined horse portraiture, the speaker’s hand gesture of counsel, delicate textiles, intimate ethical instruction moment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जातस्त्वम् → जातः + त्वम्; त्वमश्वानाम् → त्वम् + अश्वानाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/nīti chapters on satya, mitra, and sevaka-dharma
FAQs
It imparts a practical ethical discipline: vow-keeping—maintaining one’s pledged word (svavākya) as a binding duty, alongside loyalty expressed as enduring friendship.
Beyond rituals and cosmology, the Agni Purana also compiles governance and conduct (nīti/rajadharma). This verse exemplifies social-ethical instruction—truthfulness, reliability, and alliance—key themes in statecraft and personal dharma.
Keeping one’s word is treated as dharma: it purifies conduct, builds trust (satya/ṛta-alignment), and generates merit through integrity and faithful commitment to relationships and responsibilities.