Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 52
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
मृदुः स्कन्धे लघुर्वक्त्रे शिथिलः सर्वसन्धिषु यदा ससादिनो वश्यः सङ्गृह्णीयात्तदा हयं
mṛduḥ skandhe laghurvaktre śithilaḥ sarvasandhiṣu yadā sasādino vaśyaḥ saṅgṛhṇīyāttadā hayaṃ
When the horse is soft at the shoulders, light in the mouth, and relaxed at all the joints—then, being compliant and responsive to the rider’s aids, one should collect and restrain that horse.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic disciplines)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Criteria for assessing readiness and collectability of a horse (soft shoulders, light mouth, relaxed joints) for controlled cavalry movement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇa of a responsive horse fit for collection (saṅgraha)","lookup_keywords":["aśva-lakṣaṇa","mṛdu-skandha","laghu-vaktra","śithila-sandhi","vaśyatā"],"quick_summary":"Collect/restrain the horse only when it shows softness in shoulders, lightness in mouth, and relaxation in joints—signs of compliance and correct training."}
Concept: Right action depends on right signs (lakṣaṇa-jñāna): apply restraint only when the system is supple and responsive.
Application: In training (animals or self), wait for softness and responsiveness before increasing demands; avoid forcing rigidity.
Khanda Section: Ashva-shastra / Dhanurveda (Horsemanship and cavalry management within military science)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trainer-rider tests a horse: relaxed joints, soft shoulders, light mouth contact; then collects the horse into controlled posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, horse in poised stance with arched neck, rider holding reins lightly, emphasis on smooth contours and calm expression, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly adorned horse with gold-highlighted tack, rider demonstrating gentle rein contact, luminous gold work on ornaments, frontal ceremonial composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration of horse biomechanics: shoulders, mouth contact, joints marked; rider’s hands shown soft; instructional clarity with fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, stable-yard scene with groom and rider, detailed horse anatomy and tack, subtle gestures showing ‘light mouth’, refined border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लघुर्वक्त्रे → लघुः वक्त्रे. सर्वसन्धिषु → सर्व-सन्धिषु. सङ्गृह्णीयात्तदा → सङ्गृह्णीयात् तदा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 287 aśva-śikṣā passages on posture, stance, and handling (287.51–54)
FAQs
It teaches a technical horsemanship criterion: when the horse is supple in the shoulder, light on the bit (mouth), and relaxed through the joints, the rider should ‘collect’ (saṅgṛhṇīyāt) the horse—bringing it under controlled, responsive movement.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical war-sciences (Dhanurveda), including cavalry handling. This verse records diagnostic markers and a training action (collection), showing the text’s coverage of applied military and equestrian knowledge.
In the Purāṇic frame, disciplined training and non-cruel control of animals used in dharmic protection (rakṣaṇa) supports righteous kingship and warfare; mastery through calm responsiveness (not force) aligns action with dharma and reduces harmful karma.