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
Dapat siyang gamitin nang wasto sa mga hanay ng pagsasanay/pagsakay, sa pamamagitan ng paghawak at pagpapakawala ng renda ayon sa tuntunin. Ngayon ay ipaliliwanag ko ang mga katangian ng mga kabayo at ng mga kahalintulad, gaya ng wastong itinuro ni Śālihotra.
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.