Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 58
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
उपेतितिसृभीराज्ञो दुन्दुभिमभिमन्त्रयेत् तेजो बकञ्च प्राप्नोति शत्रुञ्चैव नियच्छति
upetitisṛbhīrājño dundubhimabhimantrayet tejo bakañca prāpnoti śatruñcaiva niyacchati
Wenn der König im Begriff ist aufzubrechen, soll er die Kriegstrommel durch Mantra weihen (mit Kraft erfüllen); dadurch erlangt er Glanz und Stärke und zügelt zugleich den Feind.
Lord Agni (narrating purāṇic royal/ritual procedures to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pre-departure royal śānti/vijaya rite: mantra-consecration of the war-drum to boost morale, radiance, and enemy suppression.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bherī-abhimantraṇa (Consecration of War-drum) for Tejas and Vijaya","lookup_keywords":["dundubhi","bherī","abhimantraṇa","rājā prasthāna","śatru-nigraha"],"quick_summary":"Before marching, the king should empower the war-drum with mantra. The rite is intended to generate tejas (brilliance), vigor, and psychological/strategic restraint of enemies."}
Weapon Type: War-drum (dundubhi/bherī) as martial instrument
Concept: Sound (nāda) and mantra are instruments of statecraft: they shape collective mind, courage, and perceived authority, thereby affecting outcomes.
Application: Before major undertakings, perform a brief consecration of key instruments (flags, drums, tools) with focused intention and recitation to unify the team and stabilize resolve.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Śānti-karma (Royal rites; mantra-prayoga for victory)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Battlefield/campaign route (implied)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king at the threshold of departure, priests chanting while touching/marking the war-drum with sacred water and darbha; soldiers assembled, banners raised, the drum central as empowered instrument.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic procession scene, king in regal posture, large dundubhi being consecrated by priest, stylized soldiers and elephants, bold reds/ochres, rhythmic composition suggesting drumbeat.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central war-drum with gold embellishment, king with crown and halo-like tejas, priest performing abhimantraṇa with kalasha, ornate gold borders and rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative—priest recites mantra, sprinkles water on drum, commander signals troops; precise detailing of drum construction and ceremonial items; balanced palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly military camp, detailed drum with tassels, king and clerics in a pavilion, soldiers in formation, fine linework and naturalistic landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपेतितिसृभीराज्ञो = उपेति + तिसृभी + राज्ञः; दुन्दुभिमभिमन्त्रयेत् = दुन्दुभिम् + अभिमन्त्रयेत्; बकञ्च = बकम् + च; शत्रुञ्चैव = शत्रुम् + च + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (rājadharma & śānti-karma cluster); Agni Purana Dhanurveda-related chapters on battle signals and preparations (where applicable)
FAQs
It teaches dundubhi-abhimantraṇa: ritually empowering the royal war-drum with mantra at the time of the king’s departure to generate tejas (martial radiance) and to check hostile forces.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied royal liturgy and statecraft—practical battlefield-adjacent rites (śānti/abhyudaya prayogas) that integrate mantra, symbols, and governance.
Consecrating the drum sacralizes the king’s campaign, aligning action with dharma and invoking protective power; it is framed as a merit-bearing, order-restoring act that reduces hostile harm.