Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 66
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
धारासु योजनीयो ऽसौ प्रग्रहग्रहमोक्षणैः अश्वादिलक्षणम् वक्ष्ये शालिहोत्रो यथावदत्
dhārāsu yojanīyo 'sau pragrahagrahamokṣaṇaiḥ aśvādilakṣaṇam vakṣye śālihotro yathāvadat
அதை பயிற்சி/சவாரி வரிசைகளில் முறையாகப் பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும்; கயிற்றை எடுப்பதும் விடுவதும் ஆகிய செயல்களுடன். இப்போது சாலிஹோத்ரர் சரியாகக் கூறியபடி குதிரை முதலியவற்றின் லக்ஷணங்களை நான் விளக்குகிறேன்.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s technical sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Practical horsemanship: rein-handling (taking up/releasing) and disciplined line-training for safe riding, cavalry readiness, and animal management.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pragraha-graha-mokṣa: Rein control and line-training per Śālihotra","lookup_keywords":["Śālihotra","aśva-śikṣā","pragraha","graha-mokṣa","dhārāsu yojanīya"],"quick_summary":"Horses are to be trained/used in ordered lines with systematic rein-taking and rein-releasing; the text proceeds to Śālihotra’s horse-characteristics."}
Concept: Śāstra as transmissible technical knowledge (prayoga) grounded in authoritative lineage (Śālihotra).
Application: Adopt standardized training protocols and teacher-lineage methods for reliable outcomes.
Khanda Section: Shalihotra-Ashva-Lakshana (Veterinary Science / Ashva-vidya)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A riding ground where horses move in straight lines while a trainer demonstrates taking up and releasing the reins; students observe with bridles and tack laid out.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized training ground, rows of horses in line, guru-trainer holding reins demonstrating graha-mokṣa, rhythmic composition, traditional costume and ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on harness and saddle, trainer and prince in foreground, horses aligned behind, decorative borders, ceremonial yet instructional mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic depiction of rein positions, sequential gestures of take/release, calm palette, emphasis on technique and posture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed equestrian school, realistic tack and reins, multiple riders in formation, instructor signaling, architectural backdrop with gardens"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yojanīyo 'sau = yojanīyaḥ asau. pragrahagrahamokṣaṇaiḥ treated as dvandva compound. yathāvadat segmented as yathā + vat + at due to given padapāṭha-like spacing; commonly read yathāvat (indeclinable) + (iti/uvāca) in other contexts.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 287 (Aśva-lakṣaṇa preface); Agni Purana 288 (Aśva-cikitsā begins)
FAQs
It gives a practical handling principle from aśva-vidyā: the animal should be worked in regulated lines/courses, using controlled rein techniques—grasping and releasing (pragraha-graha-mokṣaṇa)—and introduces the coming section on identifying marks of horses and related animals.
By citing Śālihotra and outlining rein-handling and diagnostic “marks” (lakṣaṇa), the text preserves specialist knowledge of classical Indian hippology/veterinary science alongside its many other subjects (ritual, polity, medicine, arts), demonstrating the Purana’s encyclopedic scope.
Though technical, it supports dharma in practice: proper, non-harmful management of animals used in travel, warfare, and royal duty reduces injury and cruelty, aligning action (karma) with responsible conduct and welfare-oriented discipline.