Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
युधिष्ठिराय स भ्रात्रे पालकाय नृणान्तदा तद्धनुस्तानि चास्त्राणि स रथस्ते च वाजिनः
yudhiṣṭhirāya sa bhrātre pālakāya nṛṇāntadā taddhanustāni cāstrāṇi sa rathaste ca vājinaḥ
Then, for his brother Yudhiṣṭhira—the protector of men—there were assigned that bow, those weapons, that chariot, and those horses.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic/itihasa material to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Model for royal transfer/assignment of war-gear and regalia to the rightful ruler; informs protocols of armory custody and succession logistics.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Royal war-gear assigned to Yudhishthira","lookup_keywords":["Yudhishthira palaka","dhanus","astra","ratha","vaji"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates the core components of kshatriya sovereignty—bow, weapons, chariot, horses—formally assigned to the king as protector."}
Weapon Type: Bow and associated astras; chariot warfare equipment
Concept: Kingship (palakatva) is supported by proper instruments of protection; power is to be held as duty, not indulgence.
Application: In governance, ensure lawful custody and accountable deployment of force; treat military assets as public trust.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Narrative (Mahabharata episode) / Rajadharma-Context (Kingship, gifts, war-gear)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal bestowal/assignment scene: bow and weapons presented, chariot and horses readied for King Yudhishthira.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ceremonial court: attendants hold a great bow and quiver; a decorated ratha with caparisoned horses; Yudhishthira seated as palaka; stylized ornaments and lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold embossing on the bow, weapon rack, and chariot canopy; richly adorned horses; king receiving regalia with haloed dignity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of each item labeled visually—bow, astras, chariot, horses—arranged as an instructional tableau in a palace courtyard.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed harnesses and textiles; court officials presenting arms; perspective on the chariot and stable; refined faces and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत् + धनुः → तद्धनुः; च + अस्त्राणि → चास्त्राणि; रथः + ते → रथस्ते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda chapters on weapons, chariots, horses; Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on king as protector (palaka)
FAQs
It conveys Dhanurveda-oriented royal logistics: the formal allotment of bow (dhanuḥ), weapon-systems (astrāṇi), chariot (ratha), and horses (vājinaḥ) to a king, reflecting how martial resources are organized for rulership.
By embedding itihāsa material with concrete martial and administrative details (weapons, chariotry, cavalry), the text functions as a compendium that preserves not only theology but also practical categories of statecraft and warfare.
By calling Yudhiṣṭhira a “protector of men” (nṛṇāṃ pālaka), the verse frames martial equipment as instruments of dharmic protection—implying that power and arms gain merit when used for guardianship rather than aggression.