Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
वालुकापङ्गसंच्छन्ने गर्तागर्तप्रदूषिते अचित्तज्ञो विनोपायैर् वाहनं कुरुतेतु हः
vālukāpaṅgasaṃcchanne gartāgartapradūṣite acittajño vinopāyair vāhanaṃ kurutetu haḥ
جب زمین ریت اور کیچڑ سے ڈھکی ہو اور گڑھوں اور نشیب و فراز سے خطرناک بن گئی ہو، تو جو کند ذہن آدمی مناسب تدبیر کے بغیر وہاں گاڑی چلانے کی کوشش کرے، وہ احمق ہے۔
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vashistha; chapter-level attribution)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Risk assessment in travel, logistics, and governance: do not proceed into hazardous terrain without proper preparation, tools, and planning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Nīti: Folly of acting without upāya in hazardous terrain","lookup_keywords":["upaya","niti","risk","vehicle","hazardous ground"],"quick_summary":"When conditions are unstable and dangerous, action without suitable means (upāya) is condemned as dull-witted. The teaching applies to policy, travel, and any undertaking requiring situational assessment."}
Concept: Upāya-jñāna (skillful means) and viveka (discernment) are prerequisites for right action; mere effort without method leads to harm.
Application: Before acting, evaluate terrain/conditions, identify pitfalls, and employ appropriate tools, guidance, or alternate routes.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Niti (Practical Governance / Conduct and Prudence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cart or chariot approaches a sandy, muddy road riddled with pits; a heedless driver urges forward while wiser attendants gesture to stop or choose another path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and ochres, a royal road scene with a chariot near a mire-filled path with visible pits, expressive faces showing folly vs counsel, flat decorative landscape, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central chariot with rich gold highlights on harness and ornaments, textured sand and mud rendered stylized, attendants pointing to hidden pits, strong outlines, jewel-like colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, soft shading, instructional narrative: hazardous road with labeled pits and a cautious advisor, restrained palette, elegant figures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed terrain with sand, puddles, and small hollows, a cart with horses, courtly travelers debating, fine botanical border, high detail realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vālukāpaṅgasaṃcchanne = vālukā-paṅga-saṃcchanne; gartāgartapradūṣite = garta-agarta-pradūṣite; vinopāyaiḥ = vinā upāyaiḥ; kurutetu = kurute tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma/Nīti sections on upāya, daṇḍa, and decision-making (prakṛti-parīkṣā themes)
FAQs
Niti-vidya: it teaches practical discernment—do not undertake an action (like driving a vehicle) in hazardous conditions without appropriate upāya (proper means, precautions, or strategy).
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves worldly instruction (niti/rajadharma): a proverb-like lesson on risk, planning, and method—showing the Purana’s breadth in practical governance and conduct.
It implies that heedlessness and action without right means lead to harm and avoidable negative consequences; cultivating discernment (viveka) supports dharmic, responsible action.