Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 49
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
भठकालाद्यनुत्पादमिति ज बाह्यपार्श्वे प्रयोगात्त्विति ख वण्टयित्वासने इति ख ग्राहकण्टकपायनमिति ख स्वभावं बहिरस्यन्तं तस्यां दिशि पदायनं नियोज्य ग्राहयेत्तत्तु मुखव्यापर्तनं मतम्
bhaṭhakālādyanutpādamiti ja bāhyapārśve prayogāttviti kha vaṇṭayitvāsane iti kha grāhakaṇṭakapāyanamiti kha svabhāvaṃ bahirasyantaṃ tasyāṃ diśi padāyanaṃ niyojya grāhayettattu mukhavyāpartanaṃ matam
When the opponent (or horse), by its natural movement, throws itself outward away from the line, one should direct a stepping advance (pādāyana) toward that very side and seize it; this is held to be the technique called “turning the face” (mukha-vyāpartana), forcing the head/face to turn and be controlled.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Close-combat grappling: countering an opponent’s outward throw/escape by stepping to that side and seizing to force head/face turn (mukha-vyāpartana) for control.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mukha-vyāpartana: side-step seize to force head-turn control","lookup_keywords":["mukha-vyāpartana","grahaṇa–mukti","pādāyana","bāhya-pārśva","prati-graha (seizure)"],"quick_summary":"When the opponent naturally throws outward, step-advance to that same side and seize; the resulting forced head/face turn is the control technique called mukha-vyāpartana."}
Concept: Use the opponent’s svabhāva (natural motion) as the entry; control begins with controlling the head-line.
Application: Self-defense and wrestling: prioritize angle/footwork and head control to neutralize strength advantages.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Grahana–Mukti / close-combat holds and counters)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two fighters grapple; one attempts to throw outward; the defender steps to that same outer side and seizes, turning the opponent’s head/face to break posture and control the body line.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two wrestlers in dynamic twist, defender stepping outward with strong stance, hands controlling head/shoulder, bold outlines, earthy palette, minimal arena background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, stylized wrestlers with ornamental borders, gold highlights on armlets and belts, frozen moment of head-turn control, symmetrical framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional combat plate: clear foot placement for pādāyana, arrows indicating head-turn direction, fine linework, subdued colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, akhara wrestling scene with spectators, detailed musculature and garments, precise depiction of the head-turn grip, courtyard setting with patterned rugs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रयोगात्त्विति = प्रयोगात् + तु + इति; वण्टयित्वासने = वण्टयित्वा + आसने; ग्राहयेत्तत्तु = ग्राहयेत् + तत् + तु. Several tokens (ज, ख) are manuscript/variant markers treated as indeclinable signals.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: grahaṇa–mukti (holds/releases) and pādāyana (stepping entries) sequences
FAQs
A Dhanurveda close-combat instruction: when the opponent shifts outward, step to that same side (pādāyana) and seize, using head/face turning control (mukha-vyāpartana).
It shows the Agni Purana preserving practical martial science alongside theology—detailing named techniques, tactical footwork, and control methods typical of systematic Dhanurveda manuals.
While primarily technical, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of disciplined, rule-bound kṣātra training—skill used with restraint to uphold dharma and protect society.