Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 19
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
अभ्यङ्गोद्वर्तनैः स्नेहं नस्यवर्तिक्रमः स्मृतः ज्वरितानां तुरङ्गाणां पयसैव क्रियाक्रमः
abhyaṅgodvartanaiḥ snehaṃ nasyavartikramaḥ smṛtaḥ jvaritānāṃ turaṅgāṇāṃ payasaiva kriyākramaḥ
Oleation (sneha) is to be done by oil-massage and powder-friction; nasal therapy (nasya) and medicinal-wick (vartikā) procedures are also enjoined. For horses afflicted with fever, the proper regimen is to administer remedies using milk alone.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Veterinary (aśva-cikitsā): routine oleation, friction, nasal therapy, and fever-management protocol for horses, including milk-based administration in jvara.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśva-jvara cikitsā: abhyaṅga–udvartana–nasya–varti; payasā kriyākrama","lookup_keywords":["aśva-cikitsā","jvara","abhyaṅga","nasya","payas (milk)"],"quick_summary":"For horses, oleation is done via oil-massage and powder-friction; nasya and medicinal-wick procedures are also used. In equine fever, remedies are administered using milk as the principal vehicle."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Yukti (rational procedure) in cikitsā: matching roga-state (jvara) with mild vehicles and supportive therapies.
Application: Use appropriate anupāna/vehicle and non-aggravating procedures in acute states; prioritize gentleness in veterinary fever care.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Veterinary / Ashva-chikitsa: care of horses)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stable-side treatment scene: a horse being oil-massaged and rubbed with herbal powder; a healer preparing a small nasal application and a medicinal wick; a bowl of milk used as the vehicle for fever care.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, earthy reds and greens, stylized horse and vaidya, attendants holding oil pot and powder, calm clinical mood, minimal background stable elements, traditional ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents on vessels and ornaments, central horse and healer, richly patterned textiles, milk bowl highlighted, iconic frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing stepwise procedures (abhyaṅga, udvartana, nasya), labeled vessels and tools, soft pastel palette, instructional tableau.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed stable courtyard, naturalistic horse anatomy, physician mixing milk-based remedy, attendants performing massage and powder-friction, delicate flora in margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अभ्यङ्गोद्वर्तनैः = अभ्यङ्ग-उद्वर्तनैः (द्वन्द्व). पयसैव = पयसा + एव (सवर्णदीर्घ). नस्यवर्तिक्रमः = नस्य-वर्ति-क्रमः (तत्पुरुष). क्रियाक्रमः = क्रिया-क्रमः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (Aśva/paśu-cikitsā context); Agni Purana Ayurveda sections on snehana, nasya, lepa-kalpa (general)
FAQs
It teaches an Ayurvedic veterinary protocol: perform oleation via massage and friction, apply nasal therapy and varti-based medication, and for febrile horses follow a milk-based treatment regimen.
Beyond theology and ritual, it records practical medical knowledge—specifically equine therapeutics—showing the text’s coverage of applied sciences like Ayurveda and animal care.
In a dharmic framework, competent care of dependent beings (such as service animals) is a meritorious duty; healing and non-harmful treatment support compassion (dayā) and right conduct (dharma).