Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 19

Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure

Chapter 157

Devanagari script

चतुरङ्गुलविस्तारं तत्खातन्तावदन्तरं वितस्तिदीर्घं कर्तव्यं विकर्षूणां तथा त्रयं

Transliteration

caturaṅgulavistāraṃ tatkhātantāvadantaraṃ vitastidīrghaṃ kartavyaṃ vikarṣūṇāṃ tathā trayaṃ

Translation

يُصنع بعرض أربع أَنْغُلا (aṅgula)، مع تجويفٍ فاصلٍ محفورٍ بالمقدار نفسه؛ ويكون طوله مقدار vitasti واحدة؛ وكذلك في شأن vikarṣū تُقرَّر ثلاثة (مقادير/مواصفات) مماثلة.

Word by Word

• चतुर्-अङ्गुल-विस्तारम्: of four-finger breadth (in width)
• चतुर्-अङ्गुल-विस्तारम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक) + विस्तार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अन्तरम्/कूपादि-प्रमाणम्) — Accusative, Singular; measure-description

• तत्-खात-अन्तावत्-अन्तरम्: a gap/space up to the end of that dug (part)
• तत्-खात-अन्तावत्-अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + खात (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from खन्) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अवत् (तद्धित) + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; ‘खात’ = ‘dug’ (PPP) inside compound

• वितस्ति-दीर्घम्: a span long
• वितस्ति-दीर्घम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वितस्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अन्तरम्/प्रमाणम्) — Accusative, Singular

• कर्तव्यम्: is to be made/should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Gerundive; Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• विकर्षूणाम्: of vikarṣus (a measure/units)
• विकर्षूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकर्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन — Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय — indeclinable ‘also/likewise’

• त्रयम्: three
• त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

Lord Agni

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing weapon/implement components by precise measurements (aṅgula, vitasti) for reliable performance and safe handling in archery/armament making.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Aṅgula–Vitasti measurements for a weapon component (vikarṣū specification)","lookup_keywords":["aṅgula","vitasti","vikarṣū","weapon-measurement","khāta (hollow)"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes breadth, hollow/cut-out spacing, and length using traditional units (aṅgula, vitasti), giving a reproducible specification for crafting a martial component."}

Dhanurveda Layer

Weapon Type: Archery/weapon-making component (vikarṣū; measurement specification)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Measurable proportion (māna) as the basis of effective technology in śāstra.

Application: Use standardized units to replicate functional weapon parts and maintain consistency across craftsmen and arsenals.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery & Weapon-making Measurements)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An armorer/craftsman measures a weapon component with finger-width (aṅgula) marks and a handspan (vitasti), carving a hollow of equal measure; tools and a workbench are visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan workshop with measuring hand gestures, marked wooden/metal piece showing 4-aṅgula breadth and hollow, earthy tones, stylized tools.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, craftsman and weapon component centered, gold highlights on tools and metal edges, decorative border, emphasis on sacred precision of craft.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional scene with clear measurement annotations (4 aṅgula, 1 vitasti), neat composition, focus on process and proportions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier with artisan using calipers/marked rod, assistants holding materials, fine rendering of tools and textures, marginal notes indicating measures."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: चतुरङ्गुलविस्तारं = चतुर्-अङ्गुल-विस्तारम्; तत्खातन्तावदन्तरं resolved as तत्-खात-अन्तावत्-अन्तरम् (complex sandhi/compound); वितस्तिदीर्घं = वितस्ति-दीर्घम्

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow/arrow/weapon construction (within the Dhanurveda khanda surrounding 157.19)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Dhanurveda
• Vikarṣu

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives precise Dhanurveda construction measurements using traditional units (aṅgula and vitasti), specifying width, hollow/gap, and length for a named implement/part (vikarṣū).

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond mythology and worship, it preserves practical engineering-style standards for military/archery material culture—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like weapon-craft and measurement systems.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

In the Purāṇic frame, mastering disciplined, rule-based craft (śāstra-yukta karma) supports righteous protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa) and reduces harm through standardized, competent practice.