Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 9
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
दीर्घग्रीवाक्षिकूटाश् च ह्रस्वकर्णाश् च शोभनाः चिकित्सन्तवेति ञ राक्षान्तुरङ्गमा यत्र विजयं वर्जयेत्ततः
dīrghagrīvākṣikūṭāś ca hrasvakarṇāś ca śobhanāḥ cikitsantaveti ña rākṣānturaṅgamā yatra vijayaṃ varjayettataḥ
Kuda yang berleher panjang dan bertonjol rabung di atas mata, serta bertelinga pendek, dianggap elok dan sesuai. Orang yang berpengetahuan (tabib/pengendali kuda) hendaklah merawatnya menurut keadaannya; namun di tempat kuda ditimpa ‘rākṣā’ (pengaruh jahat/penyakit), hendaklah dielakkan daripada mengharap kemenangan dari tempat itu atau daripada memulakan usaha di sana.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha (listener)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selection, assessment, and management of horses using external marks (lakṣaṇa) and recognition of inauspicious/afflictive conditions affecting outcomes in travel/war.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Aśva-lakṣaṇa (Long neck, prominent eye-ridges, short ears) and Rākṣā-doṣa omen","lookup_keywords":["aśva-lakṣaṇa","dīrgha-grīva","akṣi-kūṭa","hrasva-karṇa","rākṣā-doṣa"],"quick_summary":"Certain conformation marks are praised as auspicious/fit in a horse. If the horse is afflicted by rākṣā (malign influence/ailment), one should not expect victory/success from that undertaking or locale."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-jñāna (reading signs) guides prudent action; avoid rash expectation of victory when conditions are adverse.
Application: Risk management: interpret bodily signs and omens to decide whether to proceed, treat, or postpone.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Ashva-chikitsa / Veterinary & Omens for Horses)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A horse-expert examines a handsome horse with long neck, pronounced eye-ridges, and short ears; in the background, an ominous shadow/mark signifies rākṣā, prompting the leader to halt a campaign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, ornate borders; a learned aśva-vaidya inspecting a long-necked horse with prominent brow ridges and short ears; subtle dark aura indicating rākṣā; calm advisory mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; regal stable scene with a prized horse, the handler pointing to auspicious features; a small symbolic inauspicious motif (dark cloud/evil-eye) near the horse; rich textiles and gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate lines and soft shading; instructional tableau labeling horse features (neck, eye-ridge, ears) and a caution panel for rākṣā; scholarly atmosphere.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed stable and court; horse conformation inspection by a veterinarian; commander deciding to postpone march; fine patterns, naturalistic horse anatomy, subdued ominous cue."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दीर्घग्रीवाक्षिकूटाः = दीर्घ-ग्रीव-अक्षि-कूटाः (बहुव्रीहि). ह्रस्वकर्णाः = ह्रस्व-कर्णाः (बहुव्रीहि). चिकित्सन्तवेति = चिकित्सन्तवे + इति. राक्षान्तुरङ्गमाः read as राक्षा-अन्तरङ्गमाः (समास). वर्जयेत्ततः = वर्जयेत् + ततः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (Aśva-cikitsā / aśva-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It teaches ashva-lakṣaṇa and ashva-chikitsā-oriented evaluation: identifying desirable horse features (long neck, prominent eye-ridges, short ears) and recognizing that horses under a malignant affliction (‘rākṣā’) are inauspicious for success.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical knowledge used in royal and military life—veterinary care, selection of mounts, and prognostics—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied sciences alongside dharma and worship.
It links right action with auspicious conditions: choosing sound, auspicious mounts and avoiding undertakings under inauspicious afflictions is presented as aligning effort with dharmic prudence, reducing the risk of harm and failure.