Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5
Chapter 288 — अश्वचिकित्सा
Aśva-cikitsā) | Horse-Medicine (Śālihotra to Suśruta
विषमः श्वेतपादश् च ध्रुवावर्तविवर्जितः अशुभावर्तसंयुक्तो वर्जनीयस्तुरङ्गमः
viṣamaḥ śvetapādaś ca dhruvāvartavivarjitaḥ aśubhāvartasaṃyukto varjanīyasturaṅgamaḥ
உடல் அமைப்பு சீரற்றதும், வெள்ளைப் பாதங்களும் உடையதும், நிலையான (சுப) ஆவர்த்தம் இல்லாததும், அசுப ஆவர்த்தங்கள் கொண்டதும் ஆகிய குதிரை தவிர்க்கப்பட வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Selection of auspicious horses for travel, warfare, and royal service by reading physical traits and hair-whorls as omens; avoid inauspicious mounts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśva-parīkṣā: inauspicious horse marks (avoidance rule)","lookup_keywords":["ashva-lakshana","turangama-pariksha","avarta","white-feet","shakuna"],"quick_summary":"Gives rejection-criteria for a horse: uneven build, white feet, absence of a stable auspicious whorl, and presence of inauspicious whorls. Used for practical procurement and risk-avoidance."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-reading (nimitta) guides practical decision-making and risk management.
Application: Apply as a checklist in horse markets/stables; reject mounts matching the stated defects to reduce mishap in travel or war.
Khanda Section: Ashva-lakshana (Horse Examination) / Shakuna & Animal Omens (Practical Jyotisha–Samudrika)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stable-master examines a horse: checking symmetry, hooves (white feet), and hair-whorls; a royal buyer observes, deciding to reject the mount.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, royal stable scene with turangama, examiner pointing to avarta on neck/shoulder, white-painted hooves emphasized, attendants with reins, flat iconic forms and warm earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly caparisoned horse with highlighted white feet, gold ornamentation on harness, inspector and noble patron, gold leaf accents on tack and borders, frontal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical inspection tableau: close attention to hair-whorl locations marked with fine lines, calm stable background, soft colors, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, horse market scene with detailed anatomy, groom lifting hoof to show whiteness, inspector tracing whorl with finger, courtly figures in patterned textiles, architectural arcade"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्वेतपादश्+च→श्वेतपादश्च; वर्जनीयस्+तुरङ्गमः→वर्जनीयस्तुरङ्गमः (सकार-सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 288 (aśva-lakṣaṇa and avarta-śakuna context)
FAQs
It teaches ashva-parīkṣā (horse examination): specific bodily traits—uneven conformation, white feet, and inauspicious or missing key hair-whorls—are treated as negative indicators for selecting a horse.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical royal and worldly knowledge—selection standards for horses used in travel, warfare, and statecraft—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied sciences and omen-based diagnostics.
Avoiding inauspicious signs is framed as aligning one’s actions with dharmic prudence—minimizing misfortune and obstacles by choosing resources (like mounts) believed to be free from adverse omens.