Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 45
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
हत्वा पर्श्वे प्रहारेण स्थानस्थो व्यग्रमानसम् वल्गामाकृष्य पादेन ग्राह्यकण्टकपायनम्
hatvā parśve prahāreṇa sthānastho vyagramānasam valgāmākṛṣya pādena grāhyakaṇṭakapāyanam
ยืนมั่นคงอยู่กับที่ แล้วตีที่สีข้างเพื่อทำให้ (ม้า/คู่ต่อสู้) เสียขวัญ; จากนั้นใช้เท้าดึงบังเหียน จับและยับยั้งผู้ที่พุ่งหนีด้วยการวิ่งฝ่าหนามและสิ่งกีดขวาง
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Cavalry/horse-handling in close quarters: correcting a bolt or lateral surge by flank strike, bridle control with the foot, and immediate seizure to stop a dangerous run.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Flank-strike and foot-bridle check for a bolting mount (grahya-kaṇṭaka-pāyana)","lookup_keywords":["aśva-śikṣā","valgā (bridle)","pārśva-prahāra","pādāyana","grahya-kaṇṭaka-pāyana"],"quick_summary":"If the mount/opponent surges sideways or bolts, strike the flank to break momentum, hook/draw the bridle with the foot, then seize and check the run before it becomes a hazardous charge."}
Concept: Mastery is shown by restraint and timely correction rather than panic; technique converts danger into control.
Application: Safety-focused training: disciplined posture, measured force, and rapid transition from strike to restraint.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science: close-combat and horse-handling tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A rider or trainer stands firm beside/near a horse surging sideways; he strikes the flank to check it, hooks the bridle with his foot, and grabs the tack/neck to stop a dangerous bolt through an obstructed path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthy reds and greens, dynamic horse in profile surging outward, trainer in firm stance striking flank and hooking bridle with foot, minimal background suggesting a training yard, bold outlines, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold work, central horse and handler, ornate bridle highlighted with gold, stylized musculature, symmetrical framing, rich maroons and greens, decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing foot drawing the bridle and hand seizing the tack, instructional clarity, soft pastel palette, subtle shading, sparse background with training markers.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed cavalry training scene, realistic tack and reins, handler’s foot catching the bridle, attendants in background, architectural training enclosure, delicate foliage and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वल्गामाकृष्य = वल्गाम् + आकृष्य; स्थानस्थो = स्थानस्थः; व्यग्रमानसम् kept as compound adjective; ग्राह्यकण्टकपायनम् treated as multi-member tatpuruṣa technical term.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on aśva-śikṣā (horse control) and grahaṇa–mukti (seizure and release) techniques
FAQs
A practical Dhanurveda maneuver: destabilize by striking the flank while maintaining stance, then control a bolting mount/opponent by pulling the bridle (valgā) using the foot and restraining it.
It preserves applied military know-how—fine-grained training details (stance, striking targets, rein-control)—showing the Agni Purana functions not only as a religious text but also as a manual of statecraft and martial practice.
By emphasizing controlled, skilled action rather than panic or excess force, the instruction aligns warfare with discipline (niyama) and duty (dharma), implying that even violent action should be governed by restraint and trained judgment.