Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 27
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
वायसः कुक्कुरश्चोभौ काकोलूककुलो हरिः भवेत् क्षौद्रेण संयुक्तः पिण्डो युद्धे महापदि
vāyasaḥ kukkuraścobhau kākolūkakulo hariḥ bhavet kṣaudreṇa saṃyuktaḥ piṇḍo yuddhe mahāpadi
युद्ध की महाविपत्ति में मधु से संयुक्त पिंड कौए और कुत्ते को, तथा कौओं-उल्लुओं के समूह को आकर्षित करता है; और शत्रु-विनिवर्तन/विचलन का भी उपाय बनता है।
Lord Agni (narrating puranic technical instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Use bait/pellet tactics with honey to manipulate animals/birds on the battlefield for diversion, signaling, or disruption during crisis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṣaudra-yukta piṇḍa: battlefield bait tactic with birds/animals","lookup_keywords":["yuddha","kṣaudra","piṇḍa","vāyasa","kukkura","kāka","ulūka"],"quick_summary":"In battlefield emergencies, a honey-mixed pellet is prescribed as an effective lure for crows/dogs and flocks of crows/owls, serving as a diversionary or protective expedient."}
Concept: Prayoga and upāya: victory can depend on expedients beyond weapons.
Application: In high-risk situations, employ environmental and behavioral knowledge (animals, baiting) as force multipliers.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Yuddha-prayoga (Military science and battlefield applications)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield scene where a strategist orders honey-mixed pellets thrown to one side, drawing crows, owls, and dogs into a swirling distraction while troops reposition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, dynamic war tableau with soldiers in profile, strategist casting honey pellets, stylized flock of crows and owls sweeping across, dogs running, bold flat colors and rhythmic lines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic commander at center with ornate armor, attendants holding a honey pot and pellets, gold highlights on weapons and borders, birds and dogs depicted as a diversion to the side","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional battlefield diagram feel: commander, honey vessel, pellet-throwing action, arrows indicating diversion path, fine linework and clear staging","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed battle camp with tactician deploying bait, realistic birds in flight and dogs in motion, intricate armor and landscape, narrative clarity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुक्कुरश्चोभौ = कुक्कुरः + च + उभौ; काकोलूककुलः = काक + उलूक + कुलः; महापदि = महा + पदि (locative of महापद).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on yuddha-prayoga and upāyas (within/around 286)
FAQs
A Dhanurvedic battlefield practice: preparing a honey-mixed pellet (piṇḍa) as bait to attract animals/birds (dogs, crows, owls) for tactical advantage during combat emergencies.
It shows the text’s inclusion of applied, field-level military know-how—small, actionable stratagems (upāyas) alongside theology—typical of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic coverage of warcraft, governance, and practical sciences.
The verse is primarily pragmatic rather than merit-oriented; its implied dharmic aim is protection of life and success in righteous defense during a crisis, aligning practical action with the duty of safeguarding oneself and allies.