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
দেৱে তাক ধীৰে ধীৰে গ্ৰহণ কৰিলে; খাপৰ পৰা উলিয়াই তেওঁ আগবাঢ়িল। খড়্গ নীলবৰ্ণ, ৰত্নখচিত মুষ্টিযুক্ত আছিল; তাৰ পাছত তেওঁ ‘শতবাহুক’—শতভুজ—ৰূপে প্ৰকাশিত হ’ল।
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.