Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 43
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
नाधत्ते ऽधश् च पादं यो ऽश्वो लघुनि मण्डले मोटनोद्वक्कनाभ्यान्तु ग्राहयेत् पादमीशितं
nādhatte 'dhaś ca pādaṃ yo 'śvo laghuni maṇḍale moṭanodvakkanābhyāntu grāhayet pādamīśitaṃ
If a horse does not set its hoof down properly in the small circle (exercise-ring), one should make it place the controlled hoof by gripping and guiding it at the moṭana and udvakka points near the navel region.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic teaching mode of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Correcting faulty hoof placement during circular schooling by manual guidance/grip at specific control points (moṭana, udvakka) near the navel region.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Correcting hoof placement in the small circle using moṭana and udvakka grips","lookup_keywords":["laghu maṇḍala","hoof placement","moṭana point","udvakka","aśva-śikṣā correction"],"quick_summary":"If the horse fails to set the hoof properly in small-circle work, the trainer should guide the controlled hoof by gripping at the moṭana and udvakka points near the navel region, enforcing correct placement."}
Weapon Type: Equestrian handling (manual control points)
Concept: Skill is diagnostic: identify the specific fault and apply a targeted correction at the right locus.
Application: Training improves when corrections are localized and repeatable (named points), reducing random force and improving learning.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Ashva-shastra (Equine science and training)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a small circular training ring, a trainer corrects a horse that fails to place its hoof properly, guiding it by gripping near the navel at moṭana and udvakka points.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular arena motif, horse mid-turn, trainer at side indicating navel-region points with stylized hand placement, bold outlines, earthy tones, didactic posture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, horse adorned yet in training, gold accents on harness, trainer guiding near belly/umbilical region, circular ground pattern, rich colors and ornamental border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: small circle marked on ground, hoof placement emphasized, trainer’s hands near labeled points, soft shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed training ring, horse turning tightly, trainer applying precise grip near abdomen, attendants observing, fine anatomical detail and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ādhatte + adhaḥ → ādhatte 'dhaḥ; yaḥ + aśvaḥ → yo 'śvaḥ; moṭana+udvakkana+ābhyām+tu → moṭanodvakkanābhyāntu; pādam + īśitam → pādamīśitam
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: laghu-maṇḍala exercises and named control points (near 287.40–287.44)
FAQs
A practical horsemanship instruction: correcting improper hoof placement during circular training by guiding the leg using specific handling points (moṭana/udvakka) associated with the mid-body (navel) region.
It shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving applied military and royal sciences (Dhanurveda), including cavalry management, biomechanics of movement, and hands-on training protocols.
While primarily technical, it supports dharma in a royal context: humane, skilled animal management for righteous governance and disciplined defense, minimizing harm through knowledgeable handling.