Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 43
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
नाधत्ते ऽधश् च पादं यो ऽश्वो लघुनि मण्डले मोटनोद्वक्कनाभ्यान्तु ग्राहयेत् पादमीशितं
nādhatte 'dhaś ca pādaṃ yo 'śvo laghuni maṇḍale moṭanodvakkanābhyāntu grāhayet pādamīśitaṃ
小さな円形の稽古場で馬が蹄を正しく下ろさないなら、臍の近くにあるモータナ（moṭana）とウドヴァッカ（udvakka）の点を把持して導き、制御すべき蹄を据えさせるべきである。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic teaching mode of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Correcting faulty hoof placement during circular schooling by manual guidance/grip at specific control points (moṭana, udvakka) near the navel region.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Correcting hoof placement in the small circle using moṭana and udvakka grips","lookup_keywords":["laghu maṇḍala","hoof placement","moṭana point","udvakka","aśva-śikṣā correction"],"quick_summary":"If the horse fails to set the hoof properly in small-circle work, the trainer should guide the controlled hoof by gripping at the moṭana and udvakka points near the navel region, enforcing correct placement."}
Weapon Type: Equestrian handling (manual control points)
Concept: Skill is diagnostic: identify the specific fault and apply a targeted correction at the right locus.
Application: Training improves when corrections are localized and repeatable (named points), reducing random force and improving learning.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Ashva-shastra (Equine science and training)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a small circular training ring, a trainer corrects a horse that fails to place its hoof properly, guiding it by gripping near the navel at moṭana and udvakka points.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular arena motif, horse mid-turn, trainer at side indicating navel-region points with stylized hand placement, bold outlines, earthy tones, didactic posture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, horse adorned yet in training, gold accents on harness, trainer guiding near belly/umbilical region, circular ground pattern, rich colors and ornamental border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration feel: small circle marked on ground, hoof placement emphasized, trainer’s hands near labeled points, soft shading and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed training ring, horse turning tightly, trainer applying precise grip near abdomen, attendants observing, fine anatomical detail and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ādhatte + adhaḥ → ādhatte 'dhaḥ; yaḥ + aśvaḥ → yo 'śvaḥ; moṭana+udvakkana+ābhyām+tu → moṭanodvakkanābhyāntu; pādam + īśitam → pādamīśitam
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: laghu-maṇḍala exercises and named control points (near 287.40–287.44)
FAQs
A practical horsemanship instruction: correcting improper hoof placement during circular training by guiding the leg using specific handling points (moṭana/udvakka) associated with the mid-body (navel) region.
It shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving applied military and royal sciences (Dhanurveda), including cavalry management, biomechanics of movement, and hands-on training protocols.
While primarily technical, it supports dharma in a royal context: humane, skilled animal management for righteous governance and disciplined defense, minimizing harm through knowledgeable handling.