Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 17
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
तत्र देवकुले जातः स्ववाक्यं परिपालय कुले जातस्त्वमश्वानां मित्रं मे भव शास्वतम्
tatra devakule jātaḥ svavākyaṃ paripālaya kule jātastvamaśvānāṃ mitraṃ me bhava śāsvatam
Puisque tu es né là dans une lignée noble (divine), observe fidèlement ta propre parole donnée. Né dans cette lignée des chevaux, deviens mon ami durable.
Lord Agni (primary narrator of the Agni Purana, giving ethical instruction in dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical injunction for loyalty and covenant-keeping within hierarchical bonds (patron–ally/retainer–lord), framed through lineage honor.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Svavākya-paripālana and Śāśvata-maitrī (Enduring Friendship)","lookup_keywords":["svavākya","paripālana","maitrī","kula","aśva-kula"],"quick_summary":"Defines noble conduct as preserving one’s pledged word and sustaining loyal friendship, especially when one’s lineage and role impose duty."}
Alamkara Type: Arthāntaranyāsa (reasoning by appeal to lineage)
Concept: Kula-dharma and satya: nobility is proven by keeping one’s word and sustaining faithful alliance.
Application: In governance and personal conduct, treat promises as binding; build durable alliances through consistent reliability.
Khanda Section: Niti / Rajadharma (Ethics of duty, loyalty, and social conduct)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble figure addresses a well-bred horse/companion, emphasizing lineage and the sanctity of a pledged word; the scene conveys mutual trust.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dignified speaker with raised hand in instruction, horse adorned yet calm, background with subtle divine lineage motifs (aura, celestial emblems), strong outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, patron and horse facing each other, gold-highlighted ornaments signifying nobility, inscription-like band suggesting ‘svavākya’, warm devotional-ethical tone","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, gentle palette, clear facial expressions of trust, minimal background, emphasis on didactic gesture and attentive posture of the horse","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting, refined horse portraiture, the speaker’s hand gesture of counsel, delicate textiles, intimate ethical instruction moment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जातस्त्वम् → जातः + त्वम्; त्वमश्वानाम् → त्वम् + अश्वानाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/nīti chapters on satya, mitra, and sevaka-dharma
FAQs
It imparts a practical ethical discipline: vow-keeping—maintaining one’s pledged word (svavākya) as a binding duty, alongside loyalty expressed as enduring friendship.
Beyond rituals and cosmology, the Agni Purana also compiles governance and conduct (nīti/rajadharma). This verse exemplifies social-ethical instruction—truthfulness, reliability, and alliance—key themes in statecraft and personal dharma.
Keeping one’s word is treated as dharma: it purifies conduct, builds trust (satya/ṛta-alignment), and generates merit through integrity and faithful commitment to relationships and responsibilities.