Sambodhi 1978 Vol 07

SR No.: 520757
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 358
Language: English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Sambodhi, & India
File Size: 9 MB

Page 51

Samrajyalakṣmīpīthika
(3) Horse-lore
As in the case of elephants, in the case of horses also their origin is told in a mythological manner. Thus when at the time of creating the universe, Prajapati was performing a sacrifice, horses came into existence out of ashes. Therefore even today they are fond of wallowing in ashes. In the begining! horses had wings and they used to fly in air. But Indra could not tolerate: this and he asked Salihotra to cut their wings and turn them into draught animals. Salihotra did accordingly.
49.
Horses are divided into four classes or castes. Out of them the Brahmaṇahorses are white in colour and are worthy to be employed at the time of auspicious occasions. The Ksatriya-horses are red in colour and deserve to be employed in battles. The Vaisya-horses are yellowish and are to be employed in commercial affairs. The Sadra-horses are of black colour and are to be used for remaining purposes. The best horses are four hands tall; the middle ones three and half and the low ones three hands. A horse with white feet and white mouth is called Pañca-kalyaṇa (five foldly auspicious). The horses from Parasika. country are the best, those from the region south-eastwards to the Sarasvati-river are of low type. Horses have no defects of their own. All their defects are due to the man in whose company they remain. Thus if a horse is weak the discredit goes to its owner. If the speed of a horse is slow, the discredit goes to one who rides upon it. In I this way there is no defect of horse itself.
Horses have magical significance. One who dies while one is on the back of a horse gets the world better than the world obtained by one who performs Ašvamedha-sacrifice. A horse is the best friend of man. For it does not leave its owner even when it is tired or wounded in a battle.
From the movements of a horse, future is suggested. Thus if it neighs with his face uplifted or digs the earth with its feet it indicates the victory of its owner. If it however defectates or urinates frequently it suggests that the owner will be defeated. If a horse neighs suddenly in early mor-" ning, it indicates invasion (Patala 133).
4) The army-men
The army-men should be born in a good family, of good conduct, true to their word, having marks of wounds on their body, ready to die for the sake of their master, and skilled in the use of arms (Patala 134)
5) Dhanurvidya (Archery)
Bow is said to be the highest kind of weapon. It should be prepared. Sambodhi 7. 1-4,