Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 46
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
उत्थितो यो ऽङ्घ्रणानेन पार्ष्ण्निपादात्तुरङ्गमः गृह्यते यत् खलीकृत्य खलीकारः स चेष्यते
utthito yo 'ṅghraṇānena pārṣṇnipādātturaṅgamaḥ gṛhyate yat khalīkṛtya khalīkāraḥ sa ceṣyate
ఎగిరి నిలిచిన గుర్రాన్ని మడమ‑పాదాల ఒత్తిడితో వశపరచి, ‘ఖలీ’ (బిట్/కర్బ్) అంగీకరింపజేసి పట్టుకోగలిగితే, అది ‘ఖలీకార’మని అంటారు; అది సేవయోగ్యమైన అశ్వం।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic technical lore)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Horse classification for cavalry use: identifying a ‘khalīkāra’—a horse controllable after rearing—useful for selecting mounts and training protocols.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Khalīkāra horse (manageable after rearing)","lookup_keywords":["khalīkāra","aśva-lakṣaṇa","utthita (rearing)","pārṣṇi (heel)","khalī (curb/halter)"],"quick_summary":"A horse that can be brought down from a rear by heel/foot pressure and then made to accept the curb/bit is termed ‘khalīkāra’, i.e., serviceable and manageable."}
Concept: Right naming/classification follows functional capability; control is the criterion of worth in a mount.
Application: Procurement and training: classify horses by response to cues; assign ‘khalīkāra’ horses to demanding duties.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ashva-vidya / Horse-training and handling terminology)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A horse rears; the rider/trainer presses with heel and foot to bring it down, then fits/settles the curb/halter and holds the bridle firmly, demonstrating a ‘manageable’ mount.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, rearing horse with dramatic curve, rider’s heel pressed in, bold outlines, restrained palette, emphasis on controlled posture and bridle line.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, rearing horse centered, gold-highlighted bridle/bit, rider in ornate attire, iconic symmetry, rich jewel tones, decorative frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear depiction of heel pressure point and curb placement, fine detailing of tack, calm facial expressions, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly stable scene, groom assisting, detailed bit/curb, naturalistic horse anatomy, patterned textiles and stable architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यो ऽङ्घ्रणानेन = यः + अङ्घ्रणानेन; पार्ष्ण्निपादात् normalized as पार्ष्णिपादात्; पादात्तुरङ्गमः = पादात् + तुरङ्गमः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: aśva-lakṣaṇa (horse types) and aśva-śikṣā (training cues) passages
FAQs
It gives a technical classification from Ashva-vidya: a horse that can be controlled after rearing—using heel/foot pressure and making it submit to the bridle/curb—is termed khalīkāra, i.e., tractable and usable.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and warfare knowledge; this verse catalogs cavalry-handling criteria and terminology, reflecting a manual-like treatment of military and animal-training science.
Its primary thrust is pragmatic rather than devotional: it supports righteous governance and protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa) by promoting disciplined, non-chaotic control of war animals, aligning power with order and responsibility.