Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 65
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
शूद्रो ऽशुचिश् चलो मन्दो विरूपो विमतिः खलः वल्गया धार्यमाणो ऽश्वो लालकं यश् च दर्शयेत्
śūdro 'śuciś calo mando virūpo vimatiḥ khalaḥ valgayā dhāryamāṇo 'śvo lālakaṃ yaś ca darśayet
ศูทรที่ไม่บริสุทธิ์ วอกแวก เฉื่อยทึบ รูปกายพิกล มีความเห็นวิปริต และมุ่งร้าย; อีกทั้งม้าที่ต้องคุมด้วยบังเหียน และม้าที่มีน้ำลายไหลจากปาก—ล้วนเป็นลางอัปมงคล
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Reading inauspicious omens in persons and horses for royal travel, purchase, deployment, and court decisions; avoiding bad portents in statecraft.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aśubha-śakuna: Inauspicious signs in a Śūdra and in horses (reins/slavering)","lookup_keywords":["śakuna","aśubha-lakṣaṇa","aśva-lakṣaṇa","lālaka (slavering)","pragraha (reins)"],"quick_summary":"Certain behavioral/physical traits are treated as inauspicious omens; a horse needing constant restraint or showing mouth-slaver is a bad sign for acquisition or undertaking."}
Concept: Rājadharma uses śakuna (omens) as a prudential tool to avert harm and preserve order.
Application: Before journeys, purchases, or deployments, screen for adverse signs and postpone/replace agents or animals.
Khanda Section: Shakuna-vidya (Omens and Physiognomy) / Rajadharma-Upanga
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal stable/court scene where an attendant restrains a restless horse with tight reins while the horse slavering at the mouth is pointed out as an inauspicious sign; an omen-reader advises the king.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, stylized king and omen-reader in court, restless horse with foamy mouth held by groom, palm-leaf manuscript, auspicious/inauspicious motifs, traditional ornaments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on royal throne and ornaments, groom holding reins of a foaming horse, sage-like śakuna-śāstrin gesturing warning, rich red/green background, temple-lamp details","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional stable scene, labeled reins and mouth-slaver sign, calm advisor explaining to prince, muted palette with fine shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court and stable architecture, naturalistic horse with visible saliva, attendants restraining with reins, astrologer/omen-reader presenting counsel, intricate textiles and borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽ = avagraha: śūdro + aśuciḥ; dhāryamāṇaḥ + aśvaḥ. aśuciś = aśuciḥ (visarga before c). yaś = yaḥ (visarga before c).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 287 (Śakuna-vidyā / Rājadharma-upāṅga); Agni Purana 287-288 (transition to Aśva-lakṣaṇa/Śālihotra)
FAQs
It teaches shakuna-vidyā: identifying inauspicious indicators from a person’s observable traits and from a horse’s behavior (needing constant restraint, frothing/slavering), useful for decisions like travel, purchase, or royal expeditions.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles applied knowledge for governance and daily life; this verse exemplifies its catalog of predictive signs (human/animal lakṣaṇas) used in statecraft, commerce, and planning.
It frames prudence as dharmic conduct: avoiding inauspicious circumstances helps prevent harm and unfavorable outcomes, aligning action with orderly, auspicious timing and conditions.