Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 17
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
तं जग्राह शनैर् देवो विकोषः सो ऽभ्यपद्यत खड्गो नीलो रत्नमुष्टिस्ततो ऽभूच्छतबाहुकः
taṃ jagrāha śanair devo vikoṣaḥ so 'bhyapadyata khaḍgo nīlo ratnamuṣṭistato 'bhūcchatabāhukaḥ
أخذها الإله على مهل؛ ولما استلّها من غمدها تقدّم. فبدت السيف بلون أزرق داكن، وله مقبض مرصّع بالجواهر؛ ثم تجلّى بعد ذلك «شَتَباهوكا» أي ذو المئة ذراع.
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Links weapon-handling (drawing from scabbard, advancing) with divine transformation imagery; supports both martial ritual imagination and iconographic identification of the blue sword and the Śatabāhuka form.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nandaka drawn: nīla sword, ratna-hilt, and Śatabāhuka manifestation","lookup_keywords":["vikosha","nila-khadga","ratna-mushti","shatabahuka","Hari-advance"],"quick_summary":"Depicts the god slowly taking and drawing the sword; it is dark-blue with a jewel-studded hilt, and the wielder manifests as the Hundred-armed Śatabāhuka—an image of overwhelming divine martial capacity."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole: hundred arms) and vivid description (varṇana)
Weapon Type: Sword (khaḍga)
Concept: Force is to be unveiled with restraint (śanaiḥ) and purpose; divine power manifests proportionate to need
Application: In leadership and conflict, escalate deliberately; maintain control and clarity before action
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapons, martial lore, and divine armaments)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari draws a dark-blue sword with a jewel-studded hilt from its scabbard and steps forward; as the blade clears, he manifests as a hundred-armed form, each arm poised with power, centered on the gleaming blue weapon.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic Viṣṇu figure expanding into many arms, central nīla sword with bright highlights, jeweled hilt, bold rhythmic arm patterns, intense vīra mood with stylized flames/auras","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Śatabāhuka Viṣṇu with embossed gold ornaments, multiple arms arranged symmetrically, blue-black sword with gold and gem work, rich gold leaf radiance around the deity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, meticulous rendering of scabbard and drawing action (vikosha), clear depiction of jewel-studded hilt, multiple arms drawn with fine lines, instructional yet devotional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic moment of unsheathing in a court/battle setting, many-armed divine figure stylized but detailed, deep indigo sword, jeweled hilt, attendants recoiling in awe, intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवो = देवः; सो 'भ्यपद्यत = सः अभ्यपद्यत; ततो 'भूत् = ततः अभूत्; अभूच्छतबाहुकः = अभूत् शत-बाहुकः
Related Themes: Agni Purana narrative continuation on divine weapons and forms (same sequence)
FAQs
It conveys Dhanurvedic weapon-lore by specifying the sword’s observable characteristics (color, jeweled hilt) and the battle-action sequence (unsheathing and advancing), framed as a divine, power-amplifying act.
By recording concrete martial details—weapon form, handling, and the warrior’s empowered manifestation—it exemplifies how the Agni Purana preserves practical war-knowledge alongside mythic theology.
The verse links disciplined action (measured unsheathing and advance) with divine empowerment, implying that righteous, controlled use of force under dharma can invoke protective, superhuman strength.