Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
स्वल्पकोटिस्त्वचा शृङ्गं शार्ङ्गलोहमये द्विज कामिनीभ्रूलताकारा कोटिः कार्या सुसंयुता
svalpakoṭistvacā śṛṅgaṃ śārṅgalohamaye dvija kāminībhrūlatākārā koṭiḥ kāryā susaṃyutā
O Dvija, die Hornspitze soll mit einer kleinen Spitze nach Maß geformt und mit Leder überzogen werden. Bei einem Bogen aus Śārṅga-Eisen soll die Spitze (koṭi) fest gefügt und gestaltet sein wie die rankenartige Augenbraue einer schönen Frau.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha/disciples, Dhanurveda exposition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Detailed finishing of bow tips (koṭi) using horn and hide coverings; aesthetic-functional shaping for secure joining and performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Koṭi-nirmāṇa: horn-tip with hide covering; eyebrow-creeper profile","lookup_keywords":["koṭi (bow tip)","śṛṅga","tvac (hide)","śārṅga-loha","kāminī-bhrūlatā"],"quick_summary":"The bow tip should be small-pointed, horn-fitted, and hide-covered; on an iron śārṅga-type bow, the tip must be firmly joined and shaped in a graceful eyebrow-like curve for both strength and refined finish."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Weapon Type: Bow (iron bow with horn tips)
Concept: Sāmya of utility and beauty: correct form (ākṛti) enhances function; aesthetic simile encodes an engineering curve/profile.
Application: Use a consistent curved template (bhrūlatā-like) for tip shaping; reinforce with horn and hide to improve wear resistance and joint integrity.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and weapon-craft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close-up of an iron bow’s tip: horn insert wrapped with hide, the tip curve drawn like a woman’s arched eyebrow; artisan checks the joint and string groove.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: enlarged bow-tip vignette with horn and hide layers, artisan carving the eyebrow-like curve; warm reds/ochres, strong outlines, minimal background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate iron bow with gold accents; tip highlighted with gold leaf and embossed texture; elegant eyebrow-curve emphasized, devotional-craft aesthetic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical illustration of koṭi profile—side view with curvature line, horn insert, hide wrap, and join points labeled; soft palette, precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: craftsman at low bench shaping bow tip, horn piece and hide strip on tray, delicate rendering of tools and the graceful curve motif."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वल्पकोटिस्त्वचा → स्वल्प-कोटिः + त्वचा; शार्ङ्गलोहमये → शार्ङ्ग-लोह-मये; कामिनीभ्रूलताकारा → कामिनी-भ्रू-लता-आकारा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda passages on bow parts (koṭi, madhya, pāṇi-graha) and fittings; Agni Purana sections where poetic similes appear inside technical instruction
FAQs
It gives a Dhanurvedic specification for bow/arrow fittings: the horn-tip (koṭi) should be small and leather-covered, and on a śārṅga-iron bow the terminal tip must be firmly joined and shaped with a graceful curved profile.
Alongside theology and rites, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical manuals; here it records precise craft guidance—materials (iron type, horn, leather), joinery, and ergonomic/aesthetic shaping—typical of its wide-ranging “handbook” character.
While primarily technical, Dhanurveda in Purāṇic framing supports righteous protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa); crafting weapons correctly is presented as part of disciplined, responsible conduct for legitimate defense rather than harm.