Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 51
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
आजनोर्धाननं वाहं शिथिलं वाहयेत् सुधीः अङ्गेषु लाघवं यावत्तावत्तं वाहयेद्धयं
ājanordhānanaṃ vāhaṃ śithilaṃ vāhayet sudhīḥ aṅgeṣu lāghavaṃ yāvattāvattaṃ vāhayeddhayaṃ
ຜູ້ມີປັນຍາຄວນຂີ່ພາຫະນະຢ່າງອ່ອນໂຍນ ແລະຜ່ອນຄາຍ ຈາກຫົວເຂົ່າຂຶ້ນໄປ (ຮັກສາທ່ານັ່ງແລະທ່າທາງໃຫ້ສະບາຍ)। ຄວນຂີ່ຕໍ່ໄປເທົ່າທີ່ຄວາມເບົາບາງເກີດຂຶ້ນໃນອະວະຍະວະ—ເຖິງຈຸດນັ້ນແລ້ວຈຶ່ງໃຫ້ມ້າເຄື່ອນຕໍ່ໄປ.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic disciplines, here bodily regimen/conditioning)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Guideline for therapeutic/conditioning riding to produce śarīra-lāghava (lightness) without overexertion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Deha-vyāyāma by gentle riding until aṅga-lāghava arises","lookup_keywords":["vyāyāma","aṅga-lāghava","aśva-ārohaṇa","śithila-vāhana","maryādā"],"quick_summary":"Ride with a relaxed seat and gentle motion; stop the exertion at the point when limb-lightness appears—this is the proper measure of exercise."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Mātrā (right measure) in practice: the body signals the correct endpoint of exertion through lāghava.
Application: In any training regimen, use somatic markers (lightness vs. heaviness) to set limits; prioritize sustainability over maximal strain.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Deha-vyāyāma & Śarīra-lāghava—physical conditioning and lightness of the body)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rider sits lightly and relaxed on a horse, riding gently; the emphasis is on posture and stopping at the point of limb-lightness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, simplified horse and rider in profile, rider’s torso upright and relaxed, minimal motion lines, warm earthy palette, calm training atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, noble rider on a decorated horse, gold accents on saddle and ornaments, serene face indicating controlled effort, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional posture diagram: rider alignment from knees upward, relaxed shoulders, gentle rein contact, annotated cues for ‘lāghava’ stopping point, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly training ground, rider practicing gentle pacing, attendants observing, detailed tack and landscape, refined linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आजनोर्धाननम् → आ-जनु-ऊर्ध्व-आननम्. यावत्तावत्तं → यावत् तावत् तम्. वाहयेद्धयं → वाहयेत् हयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 287 sections on aśva-śikṣā and vyāyāma-lakṣaṇa (adjacent verses 287.52–54)
FAQs
It teaches a practical rule of exercise via horse riding: ride in a relaxed posture and stop/limit the exertion at the point when the limbs feel light—i.e., exercise should be measured, not exhausting.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge—here, a health-and-training guideline (vyāyāma through riding/horsemanship) consistent with Ayurvedic ideas of balanced exertion and bodily efficiency.
By advocating moderation and self-control in bodily practice, the verse supports sattvic discipline—protecting health and steadiness, which in turn sustains regular dharma, study, and worship without harm from overexertion.