Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 59
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
यथा वश्यस् तथा शिक्षा विनश्यन्त्यतिवाहिताः अवाहिता न मिध्यन्ति तुङ्गवक्त्रांश् च वाहयेत्
yathā vaśyas tathā śikṣā vinaśyantyativāhitāḥ avāhitā na midhyanti tuṅgavaktrāṃś ca vāhayet
Latihan harus diberikan sebanding dengan tingkat jinaknya kuda; bila dipaksa berlebihan, disiplin menjadi rusak. Jika tidak terlalu dipacu, mereka tidak menyimpang; karena itu kuda yang bersemangat tinggi dan bermulut kuat pun hendaknya dilatih dengan benar.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Horse-training principle: tailor instruction to tractability; avoid overdriving which ruins training; exercise strong-mouthed, high-spirited horses properly without excess to prevent waywardness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Proportionate training and avoiding overdriving in horse discipline","lookup_keywords":["aśva-śikṣā","vashya","ativāhita","strong-mouthed horse","training proportion"],"quick_summary":"Train according to the horse’s responsiveness; excessive driving destroys discipline. Proper, non-excessive work keeps horses from going astray, including strong-mouthed ones."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Madhyamā-mārga (measured approach): excess undermines the very goal of training; right measure sustains order.
Application: Apply proportionality in pedagogy, governance, and self-discipline—avoid burnout to preserve long-term capability.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Horse-training and cavalry discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trainer works with multiple horses: a calm tractable one and a strong-mouthed high-spirited one; the trainer moderates exercise intensity, avoiding harsh overdriving; orderly training ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style training yard with two horses of contrasting temperament, trainer gesturing measured control, rhythmic repetition implied, earthy palette and stylized harness details.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central trainer figure with two horses, gold embellishment on bridles and borders, composed instructional tableau emphasizing moderation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: trainer demonstrating correct workload—one horse walking, another trotting under control, fine linework and soft gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature cavalry training ground, multiple horses, nuanced expressions, trainer preventing overdriving, detailed landscape and attendants, narrative realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vinaśyanti + ati-vāhitāḥ → vinaśyantyativāhitāḥ; vaktrān + ca → vaktrāṃś ca (anusvāra by sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: aśva-śikṣā rules on pacing, conditioning, and handling difficult horses (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a practical aśva-śikṣā rule: match training intensity to the horse’s temperament; excessive forcing ruins discipline, while moderate handling keeps horses from becoming unmanageable—especially in strong-mouthed, high-spirited mounts.
By preserving applied Dhanurveda knowledge beyond weapons—covering cavalry management and animal training—this verse shows the Agni Purana’s wide scope, compiling statecraft and military logistics alongside religious and philosophical topics.
The instruction reflects dharmic restraint: avoiding cruelty and excess while maintaining order. Right measure (yathā-śakti/yathā-yogya) in action is presented as a virtue that supports righteous conduct and responsible governance.