Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
विषमः श्वेतपादश् च ध्रुवावर्तविवर्जितः अशुभावर्तसंयुक्तो वर्जनीयस्तुरङ्गमः
viṣamaḥ śvetapādaś ca dhruvāvartavivarjitaḥ aśubhāvartasaṃyukto varjanīyasturaṅgamaḥ
ມ້າທີ່ຮ່າງກາຍບໍ່ສະເໝີ, ມີຕີນຂາວ, ຂາດອາວັດຕະທີ່ໝັ້ນຄົງ (ອັນເປັນມງຄຸນ), ແລະມີອາວັດຕະອັບມງຄຸນ ຄວນຫຼີກເວັ້ນ.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selection of auspicious horses for travel, warfare, and royal service by reading physical traits and hair-whorls as omens; avoid inauspicious mounts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśva-parīkṣā: inauspicious horse marks (avoidance rule)","lookup_keywords":["ashva-lakshana","turangama-pariksha","avarta","white-feet","shakuna"],"quick_summary":"Gives rejection-criteria for a horse: uneven build, white feet, absence of a stable auspicious whorl, and presence of inauspicious whorls. Used for practical procurement and risk-avoidance."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-reading (nimitta) guides practical decision-making and risk management.
Application: Apply as a checklist in horse markets/stables; reject mounts matching the stated defects to reduce mishap in travel or war.
Khanda Section: Ashva-lakshana (Horse Examination) / Shakuna & Animal Omens (Practical Jyotisha–Samudrika)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stable-master examines a horse: checking symmetry, hooves (white feet), and hair-whorls; a royal buyer observes, deciding to reject the mount.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, royal stable scene with turangama, examiner pointing to avarta on neck/shoulder, white-painted hooves emphasized, attendants with reins, flat iconic forms and warm earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly caparisoned horse with highlighted white feet, gold ornamentation on harness, inspector and noble patron, gold leaf accents on tack and borders, frontal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical inspection tableau: close attention to hair-whorl locations marked with fine lines, calm stable background, soft colors, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, horse market scene with detailed anatomy, groom lifting hoof to show whiteness, inspector tracing whorl with finger, courtly figures in patterned textiles, architectural arcade"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्वेतपादश्+च→श्वेतपादश्च; वर्जनीयस्+तुरङ्गमः→वर्जनीयस्तुरङ्गमः (सकार-सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (aśva-lakṣaṇa and avarta-śakuna context)
FAQs
It teaches ashva-parīkṣā (horse examination): specific bodily traits—uneven conformation, white feet, and inauspicious or missing key hair-whorls—are treated as negative indicators for selecting a horse.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical royal and worldly knowledge—selection standards for horses used in travel, warfare, and statecraft—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied sciences and omen-based diagnostics.
Avoiding inauspicious signs is framed as aligning one’s actions with dharmic prudence—minimizing misfortune and obstacles by choosing resources (like mounts) believed to be free from adverse omens.