Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
चतुरस्रमित्यादिः, पञ्चाशदङ्गुलोच्छ्रयैर् इत्यन्तः पाठः जपुस्तके नास्ति द्विहस्तमिति ट पूजयेत्तद्धनुरिति ग , घ , ञ च रुक्मपुङ्खाः सुपङ्कास्ते तैलधौताः सुवर्णकाः यात्रायामभिषेकादौ यजेद्वाणधनुर्मुखान्
caturasramityādiḥ, pañcāśadaṅgulocchrayair ityantaḥ pāṭhaḥ japustake nāsti dvihastamiti ṭa pūjayettaddhanuriti ga , gha , ña ca rukmapuṅkhāḥ supaṅkāste tailadhautāḥ suvarṇakāḥ yātrāyāmabhiṣekādau yajedvāṇadhanurmukhān
Beginnend mit den Worten „(es ist) viereckig“ findet sich die Lesart, die mit „mit einer Höhe von fünfzig Aṅgulas“ endet, nicht in der Japu‑Handschrift (Rezitationsbuch). Eine andere Lesart hat „zwei Hände (als Maß)“. Einige Handschriften (ga, gha, ña) lesen: „Man soll jenen Bogen verehren.“ Die Pfeile besitzen goldene Metallbefiederung, sind gut gefügt und glatt, mit Öl poliert und von goldener Erscheinung. Bei Anlässen wie der yātrā (königlichen Prozession) und bei abhiṣeka (Weihe‑/Besprengungsriten) und dergleichen soll man die Verehrung der Pfeile, des Bogens und der Bogenmündung/Spitze (am Kerbende) vollziehen.
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s primary frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual consecration and auspicious deployment of bow-and-arrow equipment for royal processions, campaigns, and ceremonial abhiṣeka; also gives material/finish standards for arrows.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhanur-bāṇa-pūjā and auspicious arrow specifications","lookup_keywords":["dhanus-puja","bana-puja","yatra-abhiṣeka","rukma-puṅkha","taila-dhauta"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes worship of bow, arrows, and bow-tip/nock-end during yātrā and abhiṣeka rites, and notes ideal arrow qualities (well-fitted, smooth, oil-polished, golden-fletched)."}
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows
Concept: Śastra as sacred technology: weapons are treated as ritually empowered instruments, not merely tools
Application: Before public procession or consecration, perform pūjā to align martial action with dharma and auspicious omens
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapon-consecration and ritual worship of bow and arrows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal armory/ritual pavilion where bow, arrows, and the bow’s nock-end are arranged on a clean altar; arrows gleam with golden fletchings and oil-polished shafts; priests perform pūjā before a yātrā or abhiṣeka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, ritual pavilion with priests offering flowers and lamps to a bow and a bundle of golden-fletched arrows, ornate textiles, traditional oil lamps, calm ceremonial mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heavy gold leaf highlights on the bow and arrow fletchings, jeweled ornamentation, symmetrical altar layout, priests with ārati, deep red and green background, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing arrow construction details (smooth shaft, fitted fletching), a labeled ritual setup with bow-mouth/nock-end emphasized, soft pastel palette, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yātrā preparation scene in an armory courtyard, attendants presenting bow and arrows for worship, intricate textiles and architecture, delicate brushwork, naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुपङ्कास्ते = सु-पङ्काः ते; अभिषेकादौ = अभिषेक-आदौ; वाणधनुर्मुखान् = वाण-धनुः-मुखान् (समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वार्थे); इत्यन्तः = इति अन्तः; पञ्चाशदङ्गुलोच्छ्रयैर् = पञ्चाशत्-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रयैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on weapon-making, consecration, and astras (same khanda vicinity)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-linked instructions on the proper finishing of arrows (golden/metal fletchings, oil-polished) and prescribes ritual worship of arrows, bow, and bow-end during public processions and consecration ceremonies.
It combines practical weapon-craft details (materials, polishing/finish) with liturgical procedure (yajña-style worship at yātrā and abhiṣeka), showing how the text spans both military science and ritual religion.
Worshipping weapons at yātrā/abhiṣeka sacralizes instruments of power, aiming to purify their use, invoke auspiciousness and protection, and align martial activity with dharma rather than mere violence.