Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 26
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
ध्वजं पताकां धर्मज्ञ कालज्ञस्त्वभिमन्त्रयेत् अभिमन्त्र्य ततः सर्वान् कुर्यात् कुञ्जरधूर्गतान्
dhvajaṃ patākāṃ dharmajña kālajñastvabhimantrayet abhimantrya tataḥ sarvān kuryāt kuñjaradhūrgatān
Der Kenner des Dharma und der im Wählen der rechten Zeit Kundige soll Standarte und Banner durch Mantras rituell weihen. Nachdem er sie so geweiht hat, soll er alle (Truppen oder Begleiter) in die den Elefanten zugewiesenen Reihen stellen.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Battlefield auspication: mantra-consecration of standards and banners, then orderly deployment of elephant-corps attendants into assigned ranks for morale, cohesion, and ritual protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhvaja–Patākā Abhimantraṇa and Kuñjara-Dhūrga Deployment","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja","pataka","abhimantrana","kunjara","dhurga"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate the army’s standard and banner with mantras at the proper time, then place personnel into the elephant-unit ranks to begin operations under auspicious protection."}
Weapon Type: Dhvaja/Patākā (military standard and banner)
Concept: Rājadharma integrates śāstra (right conduct) with kāla (timely action) to make force legitimate and effective.
Application: Before mobilization, align command decisions with auspicious timing and ritual propriety to stabilize troops and public perception.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Military rites and battlefield procedure)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal pre-battle ground where a learned officiant consecrates the standard and banner with mantras; elephant units stand ready with mahouts and howdahs, troops being arranged into ranks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, temple-like composition: priest with palm-leaf and water-pot chanting over dhvaja and pataka, elephants in profile with ornate caparisons, disciplined ranks, auspicious lamps, sacred geometry borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf: central consecrated dhvaja-pole and pataka shimmering, priest and king in rich jewelry, elephants with gold ornaments, attendants aligned, embossed aureoles and decorative arch motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework: instructional tableau showing consecration gestures (abhimantraṇa) and labeled elephant-corps positions, calm courtly palette, detailed textiles and howdah fittings.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: camp scene with cleric reciting, banners raised, elephants and soldiers arranged in neat files, detailed armor and textiles, naturalistic landscape, marginal floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कालज्ञस्त्वभिमन्त्रयेत् = कालज्ञः तु अभिमन्त्रयेत्; कुञ्जरधूर्गतान् = कुञ्जर-धूर्ग-गतान् (समास/पदसंयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 267 (Rājadharma, procession and military rites)
FAQs
It teaches abhimantraṇa (mantra-consecration) of the dhvaja and patākā, and the practical step of arranging personnel/troops into the elephant-associated ranks or harnessed positions before action.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied statecraft and military procedure—linking dharma (right conduct), kāla (auspicious timing), mantra-rites, and battlefield organization (especially elephant formations).
By performing actions in accordance with dharma and proper time, and by sanctifying martial instruments through mantra, the undertaking is framed as ritually purified and aligned with righteous order, reducing adharmic taint in warfare.