Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
ववन्दे ऽजञ्च तन्देवा अभ्यनन्दन्त हर्षिताः तस्मात्स नन्दकः कड्गो देवोक्तो हरिरग्रहीत्
vavande 'jañca tandevā abhyanandanta harṣitāḥ tasmātsa nandakaḥ kaḍgo devokto hariragrahīt
Er verneigte sich vor dem Ungeborenen (Aja, Brahmā), und jene Götter freuten sich voller Jubel. Daher wurde jenes Schwert—von den Göttern „Nandaka“ genannt—von Hari (Viṣṇu) ergriffen.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Provides the divine provenance and naming authority of Viṣṇu’s sword Nandaka, supporting ritual veneration of weapons and their mythic legitimacy.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nandaka-khaḍga: divine naming and Hari’s acceptance","lookup_keywords":["Nandaka","khadga","Hari","deva-ukta","Brahma-vandana"],"quick_summary":"After bowing to Brahmā, the gods rejoice; the sword named ‘Nandaka’ by the gods is accepted by Hari, establishing its divine status and auspicious name."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-nirukti/etiology (name-giving as narrative device)
Weapon Type: Sword (khaḍga)
Concept: Power is legitimate when received with humility (vandana) and divine consent; weapons serve dharma under Hari
Application: Cultivate reverence and restraint before assuming authority or instruments of force
Khanda Section: Avataras & Vaishnava-Khanda (Mythic narrative: divine weapons and epithets of Vishnu)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine assembly where Hari receives the sword; Brahmā is saluted; devas rejoice as the sword is named Nandaka and placed in Viṣṇu’s hand.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu in regal stance receiving a sword, Brahmā seated nearby, devas with folded hands and celebratory gestures, rich reds and greens, stylized halos","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu with gold-embossed ornaments holding Nandaka, Brahmā with gold halo, devas arranged symmetrically, heavy gold work on the sword and jewelry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework on the sword and hand-gesture of acceptance, soft shading, clear depiction of the naming moment with attendant devas","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly celestial durbar scene, Viṣṇu receiving a jeweled sword, Brahmā and devas in layered composition, intricate textiles and architectural arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ववन्दे 'जम् = ववन्दे अजम्; तन्देवा = तम् देवाः; तस्मात्स = तस्मात् सः; देवोक्तो = देव-उक्तः; हरिरग्रहीत् = हरिः अग्रहीत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana weapon-origin narrative around Nandaka and astras (same sequence)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys purāṇic ayudha-vidyā in narrative form: the divine legitimation and naming of Viṣṇu’s sword “Nandaka,” rather than a procedural ritual or medical instruction.
By cataloging divine entities, their epithets (Aja, Hari), and iconic weapons (khaḍga/Nandaka), it functions as a reference-style mythological index alongside the text’s many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics).
It highlights devotion and divine sanction: honoring the primordial lord and the gods’ approval culminate in Hari receiving the divinely named weapon, underscoring that sacred power is grounded in reverence and divine order.