Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
स्रगक्षसूत्रकलिका गलकोत्पलपिण्डिका शरं धनुर्वा सव्येन पाणिनान्यतमं वहत्
sragakṣasūtrakalikā galakotpalapiṇḍikā śaraṃ dhanurvā savyena pāṇinānyatamaṃ vahat
তেওঁ স্ৰগ্ (মালা), ৰুদ্ৰাক্ষ-সূত্ৰ, কলিকা-অলংকাৰ, গলক (কণ্ঠাভৰণ) আৰু উৎপল-পিণ্ডিকা ধাৰণ কৰে। আৰু বাওঁ হাতে শৰ বা ধনু, অথবা অন্য কোনো অস্ত্ৰ বহন কৰে।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Identification of a warrior/deity’s armament and ornaments for depiction and for ritualized martial symbolism; specifies left-hand carriage of bow/arrow (or alternate weapon) alongside devotional insignia.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Armed figure attributes: mālā, rudrākṣa-akṣasūtra, floral ornaments, and left-hand bow/arrow","lookup_keywords":["dhanus","śara","akṣasūtra","rudrākṣa","utpala-piṇḍikā"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists standard ornaments (garland, rudrākṣa rosary, floral and neck adornments, lotus bundle) and states that the figure bears in the left hand an arrow or bow (or another weapon), guiding both iconography and martial representation."}
Weapon Type: Bow/Arrow (and optionally other weapons)
Concept: Union of tapas/devotion (rudrākṣa, rosary) with kṣātra function (bow/arrow): sacred power expressed as disciplined protection.
Application: Frame martial skill as dharmic protection—weapon-bearing integrated with japa/discipline symbolism.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military science and iconography of armed deities/warriors)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A richly adorned armed figure wearing garland and rudrākṣa rosary, holding a lotus bundle and bearing in the left hand a bow or arrow; ornaments and weapon are equally emphasized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic yet frontal warrior-deity with rudrākṣa akṣasūtra, floral buds and garland, left hand holding bow/arrow, bold contours and warm temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, jeweled figure with heavy gold work on ornaments and halo, rudrākṣa rosary detailed, left hand prominently displaying bow or arrow, lotus bundle rendered with stylized petals.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional focus on attributes: labeled garland, rosary, neck ornament, lotus bundle; left-hand weapon shown clearly with accurate proportions and grip.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant armed saint-warrior in a garden, naturalistic rudrākṣa beads and flowers, left hand holding bow/arrow, fine textile patterns and delicate shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनुर्वा = धनुः + वा (visarga before v → r). पाणिनान्यतमं = पाणिना + अन्यतमम् (अ + अ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (Devī/Devata iconography with weapons); Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections (weapon typology and handling, chapter numbering varies by recension)
FAQs
It catalogs identifying emblems and hand-held implements—especially bow and arrow—used to specify a martial/iconographic form, aligning with Dhanurveda-style weapon classification and depiction.
Alongside theology, the text preserves practical catalogues: ornaments, identifiers, and weapon sets used for describing warrior-deities/figures and their equipment—bridging ritual iconography with martial science.
Correct identification of emblems (garland, rosary, lotus, weapons) supports accurate contemplation and ritual visualization, which is traditionally held to enhance the efficacy of worship and the merit (puṇya) of properly performed rites.