Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 4
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
हस्तिन्यः पार्श्वगर्भिण्यो च मूढा मतङ्गजाः वर्णं सत्वं बलं रूपं कान्तिः संहननञ्जवः
hastinyaḥ pārśvagarbhiṇyo ca mūḍhā mataṅgajāḥ varṇaṃ satvaṃ balaṃ rūpaṃ kāntiḥ saṃhananañjavaḥ
Bei Elefantenkühen, bei solchen, die von der Flanke her empfangen (d. h. trächtig werden ohne rechte Paarung), und bei stumpfsinnigen Bullen sind zu prüfen: Farbe, Wesen, Kraft, Gestalt, Glanz, die feste Geschlossenheit des Körperbaus und die Schnelligkeit.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Veterinary/elephantology assessment: evaluating breeding status and fitness of elephants by observable parameters (color, temperament, strength, form, luster, compactness, speed) for stable management and deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gaja-pariksha: varna–sattva–bala–rupa–kanti–samhanana–java","lookup_keywords":["hastyayurveda","gaja-lakshana","varna","samhanana","java"],"quick_summary":"Elephants—especially females and problematic breeders/temperaments—are to be assessed by a standard set of traits: complexion, temperament, strength, form, luster, compact build, and speed."}
Concept: Lakshana-based assessment as a management science (pariksha by observable qualities).
Application: Standardize elephant procurement, breeding, and deployment by measurable traits rather than mere appearance or lineage claims.
Khanda Section: Hastyayurveda / Gaja-lakshana (Elephantology within Ayurveda & Animal Husbandry)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In an elephant stable, mahouts and a royal veterinarian assess female elephants and tuskers, noting complexion, temperament, strength, luster, compactness, and speed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized elephants in a stable yard, mahouts with palm-leaf notes, emphasis on sheen (kanti) and compact build (samhanana), warm ochres and greens, didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on caparisons and stable ornaments, a royal inspector and mahout evaluating elephants’ form and luster, ornate borders and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine lines and soft colors, instructional scene with an assessor pointing to labeled traits (varna, bala, java) on an elephant, calm technical mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic elephants with detailed skin texture and harness, attendants recording observations, a court official comparing multiple elephants in a stable courtyard."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pārśvagarbhiṇyo → pārśvagarbhiṇyaḥ (nom. pl. fem.) resolved as compound. saṃhananañjavaḥ read as saṃhanana-javāḥ (dvandva); ñj from sandhi of -na + ja-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Hastyayurveda/Gaja-lakshana chapters (traits, training, care); Agni Purana: Dhanurveda—use of elephants in battle
FAQs
It imparts practical Hastyāyurveda/Gaja-lakṣaṇa knowledge: how to evaluate elephants (including females and problematic types) by measurable traits—color, temperament, strength, conformation, luster, bodily compactness, and speed—for suitability in work or warfare.
By codifying veterinary/animal-selection criteria for elephants—key assets in transport and military—the text demonstrates its wide scope beyond ritual, covering applied sciences like animal management and statecraft-adjacent logistics.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and responsible stewardship: selecting and managing animals wisely reduces harm, prevents misuse in warfare or labor, and aligns royal duty with orderly, non-wasteful conduct.