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
Con ngựa khi chồm lên mà vẫn được khống chế bằng cách ép gót và bàn chân, rồi bị nắm giữ sau khi đã bị buộc phải phục tùng (như chấp nhận hàm thiếc/dây cương), được gọi là “khalīkāra”; đó là con ngựa dễ điều khiển, dùng được.
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.