Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 60
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
सम्पीड्य जानुयुग्मेन स्थिरमुष्टिस्तुरङ्गमं गोमूत्राकुटिला वेणी पद्ममण्डलमालिका
sampīḍya jānuyugmena sthiramuṣṭisturaṅgamaṃ gomūtrākuṭilā veṇī padmamaṇḍalamālikā
দুই হাঁটু দিয়ে দৃঢ়ভাবে চেপে ধরে এবং মুষ্টিগ্রিপ স্থির রেখে অশ্বকে নিয়ন্ত্রণ করতে হয়। কেশবেণীর রীতি—‘গোমূত্রাকুটিলা’ (সর্পিল বাঁক), ‘কুণ্ডলিতা’, ‘পদ্মমণ্ডল’ ও ‘মালিকা’।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Mounted combat and riding control: correct knee-pressure and fist-grip for stability; standardized mane-braiding patterns for identification, discipline, and parade/war readiness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ashva-yantraṇa (knee-pressure, fist-grip) and mane-braiding patterns","lookup_keywords":["ashva-shiksha","janu-yugma-sampīḍana","sthira-muṣṭi","veṇī-bheda","padma-maṇḍala"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes core rider controls—firm bilateral knee pressure and steady fist-grip—then lists recognized mane-braid styles used for orderliness and visual coding of horses."}
Concept: Śikṣā through niyama (rule-based training) and saṃskāra (refinement) even in martial contexts.
Application: Cultivate steadiness and restraint; external order (grooming) supports internal discipline (control in motion).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Ashva-shiksha (Equestrian & martial technique)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mounted warrior demonstrates correct knee pressure and firm fist-grip on the reins while attendants braid the horse’s mane into named patterns: serpentine curve, spiral curl, lotus-circle, and garland.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, mounted kṣatriya rider showing knee-pressure posture, attendants braiding mane into lotus-circle and garland motifs, ornamental borders, traditional shading, dignified calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on horse ornaments and braid garland, frontal poised rider with steady fist-grip, attendants with braided mane patterns, jewel-toned palette, embossed details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft washes, instructional composition showing knee placement and fist-grip, labeled braid motifs (serpentine, spiral, lotus-circle, garland), clean background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed horse anatomy and tack, courtly stable scene with groom braiding mane in distinct patterns, rider demonstrating control, delicate flora margins, precise textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थिरमुष्टिः = स्थिर-मुष्टिः (कर्मधारय). गोमूत्राकुटिला = गो-मूत्र-आकुटिला. पद्ममण्डलमालिका = पद्म-मण्डल-मालिका.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on ratha/gaja/ashva training (adjacent adhyāyas); Agni Purana chapters on śilpa/alaṅkāra (ornamental classifications)
FAQs
It teaches practical cavalry technique: controlling a horse by firm knee-pressure and a steady hand-grip, along with named mane-braiding patterns used for identification, discipline, or formal presentation.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied knowledge from martial and equestrian disciplines—showing the Agni Purana’s scope as a compendium that includes military training details alongside ritual and philosophical material.
While primarily technical, it supports dharmic kingship and protection of society: disciplined training of mounts and soldiers is framed as enabling righteous defense (rakṣaṇa) and orderly governance.