Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 4
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
हस्तिन्यः पार्श्वगर्भिण्यो च मूढा मतङ्गजाः वर्णं सत्वं बलं रूपं कान्तिः संहननञ्जवः
hastinyaḥ pārśvagarbhiṇyo ca mūḍhā mataṅgajāḥ varṇaṃ satvaṃ balaṃ rūpaṃ kāntiḥ saṃhananañjavaḥ
ହସ୍ତିନୀ, ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱଗର୍ଭିଣୀ ଓ ମୂଢ ମତଙ୍ଗଜ—ଏମାନଙ୍କର ବର୍ଣ୍ଣ, ସ୍ୱଭାବ, ବଳ, ରୂପ, କାନ୍ତି, ଦେହ-ସଂହତି ଓ ଜବ (ବେଗ) ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରିବା ଉଚିତ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Veterinary/elephantology assessment: evaluating breeding status and fitness of elephants by observable parameters (color, temperament, strength, form, luster, compactness, speed) for stable management and deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gaja-pariksha: varna–sattva–bala–rupa–kanti–samhanana–java","lookup_keywords":["hastyayurveda","gaja-lakshana","varna","samhanana","java"],"quick_summary":"Elephants—especially females and problematic breeders/temperaments—are to be assessed by a standard set of traits: complexion, temperament, strength, form, luster, compact build, and speed."}
Concept: Lakshana-based assessment as a management science (pariksha by observable qualities).
Application: Standardize elephant procurement, breeding, and deployment by measurable traits rather than mere appearance or lineage claims.
Khanda Section: Hastyayurveda / Gaja-lakshana (Elephantology within Ayurveda & Animal Husbandry)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In an elephant stable, mahouts and a royal veterinarian assess female elephants and tuskers, noting complexion, temperament, strength, luster, compactness, and speed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized elephants in a stable yard, mahouts with palm-leaf notes, emphasis on sheen (kanti) and compact build (samhanana), warm ochres and greens, didactic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents on caparisons and stable ornaments, a royal inspector and mahout evaluating elephants’ form and luster, ornate borders and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine lines and soft colors, instructional scene with an assessor pointing to labeled traits (varna, bala, java) on an elephant, calm technical mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic elephants with detailed skin texture and harness, attendants recording observations, a court official comparing multiple elephants in a stable courtyard."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pārśvagarbhiṇyo → pārśvagarbhiṇyaḥ (nom. pl. fem.) resolved as compound. saṃhananañjavaḥ read as saṃhanana-javāḥ (dvandva); ñj from sandhi of -na + ja-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Hastyayurveda/Gaja-lakshana chapters (traits, training, care); Agni Purana: Dhanurveda—use of elephants in battle
FAQs
It imparts practical Hastyāyurveda/Gaja-lakṣaṇa knowledge: how to evaluate elephants (including females and problematic types) by measurable traits—color, temperament, strength, conformation, luster, bodily compactness, and speed—for suitability in work or warfare.
By codifying veterinary/animal-selection criteria for elephants—key assets in transport and military—the text demonstrates its wide scope beyond ritual, covering applied sciences like animal management and statecraft-adjacent logistics.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and responsible stewardship: selecting and managing animals wisely reduces harm, prevents misuse in warfare or labor, and aligns royal duty with orderly, non-wasteful conduct.