Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 20
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
कर्णजापन्ततः कृत्वा विमुह्य च तथा प्यरीन् पर्यानयेद्धयं सादी वहयेद्युद्धतो जयः
karṇajāpantataḥ kṛtvā vimuhya ca tathā pyarīn paryānayeddhayaṃ sādī vahayedyuddhato jayaḥ
ശത്രുവിന്റെ ചെവിക്കരികിൽ ചതുരമായ ഭ്രമണതന്ത്രം നടത്തി അവരെ മയക്കി, കുതിരസവാരി കുതിരയെ തിരിച്ച് ചുറ്റിക്കൊണ്ടുവരണം; യുദ്ധം തുടർന്നാൽ വിജയം ലഭിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Cavalry tactics: using a close-range distraction/feint to disorient an opponent, then executing a rapid wheel/turn of the mount to regain positional advantage and press the attack.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karna-japa feint and cavalry wheel (horse-turn) for battlefield advantage","lookup_keywords":["karnajapa","cavalry feint","horse wheel turn","mounted combat","battlefield stratagem"],"quick_summary":"A near-contact distraction (karnajapa) is used to bewilder the enemy; the rider then wheels the horse to reposition and continue the engagement, aiming at decisive advantage."}
Weapon Type: Cavalry (mounted combat; weapon unspecified—compatible with bow/sword/lance)
Concept: Victory is supported by upaya (skillful means) and mano-bala (psychological disruption), not only by force.
Application: In conflict management, combine timing, deception, and repositioning rather than frontal persistence.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science and battlefield tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mounted warrior leans close to an enemy to distract him, then sharply wheels the horse to gain advantage and continue the attack amid a battlefield.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, dynamic cavalry scene: warrior on a richly caparisoned horse performing a close-range feint near an enemy’s ear, then turning the horse in a tight arc; flat bold colors, ornate borders, expressive eyes, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: heroic mounted rider mid-turn, gold-leaf highlights on armor and horse ornaments, stylized battlefield elements, frontal iconic clarity with rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style: instructional cavalry maneuver depiction—stepwise sense of motion (approach, distract, wheel), delicate linework, soft shading, detailed tack and reins, calm but precise composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: crowded battlefield vignette with a rider executing a sharp wheel after a close feint; fine detailing of textiles, weapons, and horse anatomy; dust and motion conveyed with subtle strokes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तथा प्यरीन् = तथा अपि अरिन् (अरिन् = अरयः, acc.pl.); पर्यानयेद्धयं = परि-आनयेत् हयम्; वहयेद्युद्धतो = वहयेत् युद्धतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on cavalry/horse management and battlefield upayas (same khanda); Agni Purana Niti/Rajadharma passages on upaya and danda
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda tactic for cavalry: use a close-range distraction/feint to confuse the enemy, then maneuver (wheel) the horse to gain a positional advantage and press the attack.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical knowledge systems like Dhanurveda—here, concrete battlefield guidance for mounted combat, showing the text’s wide coverage of statecraft and war-technique.
In Purāṇic framing, disciplined application of one’s ordained duty (kṣātra-dharma) with skill and strategy is treated as righteous action when aligned with protection and lawful order, leading to success without needless chaos.