Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 25
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
महिष्यादिषु चाप्येतत् सर्वं वाच्यं विजानता आरोहणं तथान्येन सपर्याणस्य वाजिनः
mahiṣyādiṣu cāpyetat sarvaṃ vācyaṃ vijānatā ārohaṇaṃ tathānyena saparyāṇasya vājinaḥ
মহিষ প্রভৃতি (অন্যান্য বাহন)-এর ক্ষেত্রেও এ সব কথা বিধি-জ্ঞ ব্যক্তি যথাযথভাবে ঘোষণা করবে। আর যে অশ্বের সপর্যা (সেবা-সত্কার) হচ্ছে, তার আরোহন অন্য ব্যক্তি করবে।
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Court/stable protocol: correct public announcement and role-separation in handling mounts (buffalo etc.); for a ceremonially honored horse, mounting is performed by another attendant to preserve royal decorum and safety.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ārohaṇa-vidhi and ghoṣaṇā in rāja-vāhana-sevā (Mounting protocol for royal mounts)","lookup_keywords":["ārohaṇa","vājī","sapar yāṇa","mahīṣa","rāja-vāhana"],"quick_summary":"A knowledgeable officer should announce the prescribed formalities for various mounts (buffalo and others). When a horse is being honored with due service, mounting is done by another person—reflecting etiquette, safety, and hierarchy."}
Concept: Maryādā (proper order) in rāja-sevā: roles, speech, and action are regulated to uphold dignity and prevent mishap.
Application: Establish stable SOPs: designated announcer (jñātā), designated mounter/assistant, species-specific handling rules, and ceremonial safeguards.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Ashva-shastra (Equine management and royal protocol)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal stable/courtyard: an expert herald announces procedures for mounts (buffalo and others). A richly caparisoned horse is attended; a designated attendant mounts or assists mounting while the honored person/king maintains decorum.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace stable with ornate pillars, buffalo and horse shown in stylized form, herald with palm-leaf script announcing, attendants performing mounting assistance, bold colors and clear hierarchical staging","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf on horse trappings and royal parasol, central honored horse with attendants, herald in front gesturing proclamation, symmetrical ceremonial composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: labeled roles (announcer, handler, mounter), horse with saddle and attendants demonstrating mounting protocol, soft tones and fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed equestrian court scene, richly patterned saddlecloth, attendants assisting mounting, a herald speaking, precise architecture and textiles, calm ordered atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: च + अपि + एतत् → चाप्येतत्; तथा + अन्येन → तथान्येन; महिष्य + आदिषु → महिष्यादिषु (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (rājadharma + śakuna/āśva context)
FAQs
It prescribes a protocol: a knowledgeable person should verbally announce/recite the required instructions, and a separate attendant should perform the actual mounting—especially when a horse is being ceremonially attended (saparyā).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical governance and stable-management etiquette—showing how the text includes applied knowledge (animal handling, attendants’ roles, and courtly procedure) alongside religious material.
By insisting on knowledgeable speech and proper roles during honorable service (saparyā), the act is framed as disciplined, respectful conduct—reducing harm and disorder and aligning royal action with dharmic propriety.