Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
पतितानि तु संस्पर्शान्नन्दकस्य च तानि हि लोहभूतानि सर्वाणि हत्वा तस्मै हरिर्वरं
patitāni tu saṃsparśānnandakasya ca tāni hi lohabhūtāni sarvāṇi hatvā tasmai harirvaraṃ
Doch die Gefallenen wurden durch die bloße Berührung Nandakas allesamt zu Eisen; nachdem Hari sie alle erschlagen hatte, gewährte er ihm daraufhin eine Gunstgabe.
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Highlights the sanctity and transformative power attributed to Viṣṇu’s sword Nandaka; supports ritual/visual identification of divine weapons in worship and iconography.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nandaka-sparśa: Transformation to Iron and Hari’s Vara-pradāna","lookup_keywords":["nandaka","sparśa","loha-bhūta","hari vara","divine weapon power"],"quick_summary":"Contact with Nandaka causes fallen foes to become ‘iron-like’ (loha-bhūta), emphasizing the sword’s supernatural potency; after victory, Hari grants a boon."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole)
Weapon Type: Sword (Nandaka)
Concept: Divine grace (prasāda) follows righteous action; sacred implements carry transformative śakti.
Application: In devotional practice, treat sacred symbols/implements (āyudha, mālā, pavitra) as supports for discipline and remembrance.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Vaishnava Itihasa (Narratives of Vishnu’s exploits and divine weapons)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Fallen enemies touched by Nandaka become rigid and iron-like; Hari stands victorious, then gestures granting a boon to a devotee/ally.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu with Nandaka, fallen asuras rendered in dark metallic tones, subtle sheen; Hari’s hand in vara-mudrā; ornate borders and traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-work on Viṣṇu’s ornaments and sword; iron-transformed bodies stylized with silver/grey; boon-giving gesture emphasized; rich temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate brushwork; clear depiction of ‘sparśa’ (touch) effect—Nandaka near fallen foes turning metallic; calm victorious Hari granting boon","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed textures showing flesh-to-metal transformation; courtly composition with Hari granting boon; fine rendering of sword hilt and reflective surfaces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संस्पर्शान्नन्दकस्य = संस्पर्शात् नन्दकस्य; लोहभूतानि = लोह-भूतानि; हरिर्वरं = हरिः वरं.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections describing Viṣṇu’s āyudhas and their worship; Agni Purana mantra/pujā passages where āyudha are invoked for protection
FAQs
This verse conveys a weapon-lore motif: the divine sword Nandaka has a transformative, supernatural effect by mere touch, illustrating the puranic concept of astras/āyudhas possessing inherent śakti (power).
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves mythic-technical descriptions of divine armaments and their effects—an encyclopedic cataloging of sacred lore, including narratives of combat and boons.
Hari granting a boon after the destruction of hostile forces reflects the puranic principle that divine aid and grace (vara) follow the restoration of dharma and the removal of obstructive, adharma-aligned threats.