Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
माहिषं शारभं शार्ङ्गं रौहिषं वा धनुःशुभं चन्दनं वेतसं सालं धावलङ्ककुभन्तरुः
māhiṣaṃ śārabhaṃ śārṅgaṃ rauhiṣaṃ vā dhanuḥśubhaṃ candanaṃ vetasaṃ sālaṃ dhāvalaṅkakubhantaruḥ
للقوس الممتاز يُستحسن خشب māhiṣa وśārabha وśārṅga أو rauhiṣa؛ وكذلك يصلح خشب الصندل، وvetasa (كالخيزران/الصفصاف أو الروطان)، وsāla وdhāvala، وأشجار تُسمّى laṅkaka وkubhanta.
Lord Agni (narrating Dhanurveda instructions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Selecting appropriate woods for bow-staves based on traditional material taxonomy and performance qualities (flexibility, resilience, grain).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dhanuḥ-kāṣṭha (recommended bow-woods)","lookup_keywords":["dhanuḥ-kāṣṭha","candana","vetasa","sāla","dhāvala"],"quick_summary":"A high-quality bow may be made from specified woods (māhiṣa, śārabha, śārṅga, rauhiṣa, sandalwood, vetasa, sāla, dhāvala, laṅkaka, kubhanta), indicating a traditional canon of timber selection for strength and spring."}
Weapon Type: Bow (wooden bow-stave materials)
Concept: Guṇa of dravya (material properties) governs the guṇa of the instrument; right substance is foundational to right action.
Application: Use a vetted material list and field-identification of timber to ensure consistent weapon performance.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and weapon-making materials)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest-to-workshop sequence: different trees labeled as bow-woods; a craftsman selects straight staves and seasons them for bow-making.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized grove with distinct trees (candana, vetasa, sāla, dhāvala) and an artisan choosing a straight stave, earthy palette, didactic labeling feel","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central bow-stave bundle with surrounding medallions of the listed trees, gold embellishment on borders, devotional-craft aesthetic","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional botanical plate: each recommended tree shown with leaf and bark detail, alongside a bow-stave and notes on grain and seasoning","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic forest scene with woodcutters selecting staves, then armory workshop shaping a bow, fine botanical detail and courtly realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhanuḥśubhaṃ = dhanuḥ + śubham; dhāvalaṅkakubhantaruḥ parsed as dhāvalaṅkakubha-taruḥ (tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow construction and stringing (same khanda/adhyāya cluster around 244)
FAQs
It specifies the technical Dhanurveda knowledge of selecting appropriate woods/timbers considered suitable for crafting a strong and ‘excellent’ bow.
By cataloging practical materials for weapon manufacture, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving applied military science (Dhanurveda) alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
While primarily technical, choosing ‘dhanuḥ-śubha’ (fit/auspicious) materials aligns craftsmanship with dharma—supporting righteous protection and disciplined martial practice rather than harm for adharmic ends.