Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 1
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे गजचिकित्सा नाम षडशीत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्ताशीत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अश्ववाहनसारः धन्वन्तरिर् उवाच अश्ववाहनसारञ्च वक्ष्ये चाश्वचिकित्सनम् वाजिनां संग्रहः कार्यो धर्मकमार्थसिद्धये
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe gajacikitsā nāma ṣaḍaśītyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha saptāśītyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ aśvavāhanasāraḥ dhanvantarir uvāca aśvavāhanasārañca vakṣye cāśvacikitsanam vājināṃ saṃgrahaḥ kāryo dharmakamārthasiddhaye
Thus ends, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa, the two-hundred-and-eighty-sixth chapter called “Treatment of Elephants.” Now begins the two-hundred-and-eighty-seventh chapter, “The Essentials of Horses as Mounts.” Dhanvantari said: “I shall expound the essentials of horses as conveyances, and also the medical treatment of horses. The acquisition and maintenance of horses should be undertaken for the attainment of dharma, kāma, and artha.”
Dhanvantari
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Royal stable policy: why and how to procure, maintain, and medically treat horses for statecraft, transport, and prosperity goals (dharma–kāma–artha).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Aśvavāhana-sāra: purpose and scope (horse management + treatment)","lookup_keywords":["aśvavāhana-sāra","aśva-cikitsā","Dhanvantari","vājin-saṃgraha","dharma-kāma-artha"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the horse section: selection/maintenance of horses and their medical care are framed as a practical necessity for achieving the three aims of life, especially in royal administration and transport."}
Concept: Instrumental dharma: material resources (horses) ethically maintained support dharma, kāma, and artha.
Application: For rulers/householders: invest in infrastructure (stables, veterinarians, fodder supply) as a dharmic means to prosperity and security.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Pashu-Chikitsa / Veterinary Science: Gaja- & Ashva-Chikitsa)
Primary Rasa: Samanya
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic court scene: Dhanvantari addressing a king and stable-superintendents, with horses in the background and scribes recording rules of acquisition and treatment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Dhanvantari seated with palm-leaf manuscript, king and attendants listening, horses tethered behind, stylized stable courtyard, warm ochres and greens, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Dhanvantari with halo and gold embellishments, royal audience, richly caparisoned horses, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and manuscript, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined faces and gentle shading, instructional tableau of teacher (Dhanvantari) pointing to a manuscript titled aśvavāhana-sāra, stable officials with ledgers, calm palace interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court assembly with precise textiles, Dhanvantari as learned physician, horses and grooms in a side courtyard, fine architectural detail, naturalistic portraiture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity āgneye: iti + āgneye (vowel sandhi); 'adhyāyaḥ' shows avagraha: tamaḥ + adhyāyaḥ → tamo 'dhyāyaḥ; dhanvantarir uvāca: dhanvantariḥ + uvāca (visarga sandhi); sārañca = sāram + ca; cāśvacikitsanam = ca + aśva-cikitsanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 286 (Gaja-cikitsā conclusion); Agni Purana 287 (Aśvavāhana-sāra opening)
FAQs
It introduces Aśva-vāhana-sāra and Aśva-cikitsā—practical veterinary knowledge focused on selecting, acquiring, maintaining, and medically treating horses.
By shifting from elephant medicine (gaja-cikitsā) to horse management and therapy (aśva-vāhana-sāra, aśva-cikitsā), it shows the text’s coverage of applied sciences—animal care, transport, and resources essential to governance and daily life.
It frames responsible horse-keeping as supportive of the three aims—dharma, kāma, and artha—linking material resources and ethical stewardship with righteous living and prosperity.