Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 54
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
तत्रत्रिको यथा तिष्ठेदुद्ग्रीवोश्वः समाननः धरायां पश्चिमौ पादौ अन्तरीक्षे यदाश्रयौ
tatratriko yathā tiṣṭhedudgrīvośvaḥ samānanaḥ dharāyāṃ paścimau pādau antarīkṣe yadāśrayau
Ali, o cavalo deve manter-se na postura “trika” (de três pontos), com o pescoço erguido e a cabeça nivelada. As duas patas traseiras devem estar firmes no chão, enquanto as dianteiras se mantêm como que apoiadas no ar (leves/erguidas para prontidão).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Dhanurveda discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cavalry readiness posture: ‘trika’ stance with elevated forehand readiness, aiding quick maneuver and controlled collection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Trika-sthāna: three-point stance for a ready horse","lookup_keywords":["trika-sthāna","udgrīva","samānana","pāścima-pāda","aśva-śikṣā"],"quick_summary":"Train the horse to stand with neck high and head even, hind feet grounded and forefeet light/raised—creating a poised, responsive three-point readiness stance."}
Concept: Saṃyama (controlled restraint) creates immediate capacity for action; readiness is structured posture, not mere agitation.
Application: In skill training, cultivate ‘ready stance’ mechanics—balanced alignment that allows instant movement with minimal telegraphing.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ashva-shiksha / cavalry posture and handling)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trained war-horse stands in trika stance: neck arched high, head level, hind legs firmly planted, forelegs light/raised as if hovering, rider/trainer nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, poised horse with raised forefeet, bold contours, stylized musculature, minimal background, warm earthy tones, sense of controlled power.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, majestic horse with gold-embossed harness, forefeet lifted, radiant ornamentation, rich reds/greens, ceremonial yet martial readiness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of trika stance with clear limb placement, arrows showing weight shift to hindquarters, fine lines and soft colors, training-ground setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, cavalry drill scene with a horse in elevated forehand stance, detailed tack and attendants, architectural backdrop, delicate border and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रत्रिको → तत्र त्रिकः. तिष्ठेदुद्ग्रीवोश्वः → तिष्ठेत् उद्ग्रीवः अश्वः. समाननः → सम-आननः. यदाश्रयौ → यदा आश्रयौ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch. 287 aśva-śikṣā: collection signs (287.52) and conditioning measure (287.51) supporting readiness stance (287.54)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Dhanurveda horsemanship detail: the ‘trika’ (three-point) standing stance, describing an alert, ready horse posture with raised neck and poised forelegs.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied military science—here, cavalry handling and equine posture—showing its wide coverage of warfare training alongside ritual and doctrine.
By framing disciplined martial practice within a Purana, the text implies that righteous, regulated training (used for dharmic protection) is a sanctioned duty, aligning skill with ethical restraint.