Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
रक्षन्तु देवताः सर्वा इति श्रुत्वा नृपो व्रजेत् गृहीत्वा सशरञ्चापं धनुर्नागेति मन्त्रत
rakṣantu devatāḥ sarvā iti śrutvā nṛpo vrajet gṛhītvā saśarañcāpaṃ dhanurnāgeti mantrata
Having heard the utterance, “May all the deities protect (me),” the king should proceed, taking up the bow together with arrows, while reciting—according to mantra—the formula “dhanur-nāga.”
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purāṇa’s Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pre-combat/protective departure protocol for a king: proceed after hearing a universal protection formula, then take up bow and arrows while reciting the 'dhanur-nāga' mantra to empower the weapon and steady intent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Royal Departure with Bow: Sarva-devatā Rakṣā and Dhanur-nāga Mantra","lookup_keywords":["dhanurveda","dhanur-naga mantra","sarva-devata rakshantu","king departure","bow and arrows"],"quick_summary":"The king advances after invoking protection of all deities, then arms himself with bow and arrows while reciting the dhanur-nāga formula as a weapon-empowerment and protective rite."}
Weapon Type: Bow (cāpa/dhanus) with arrows (śara)
Concept: Kṣātra-dharma disciplined by daiva-anugraha: power is to be exercised under protection and restraint invoked through mantra.
Application: Before risky action, align courage with humility and protective invocation; treat weapons as sacred instruments requiring consecration.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery Mantras and Martial Procedure)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king at the threshold of departure, hearing a priest’s protective proclamation, then grasping a bow and quiver; he steps forward while reciting the dhanur-nāga mantra, with guards and standards behind.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic king with stylized bow and quiver, priest chanting beside a lamp, attendants with parasol and fan, bold outlines, warm tones, dynamic forward stride.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king holding ornate bow with gold highlights, priest blessing with gold-haloed lamp, rich textiles, embossed gold on weapons and jewelry, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear instructional arming scene: bow, arrows, quiver rendered precisely, king’s posture demonstrating grip and stance, priest reciting mantra, soft shading and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, royal departure scene with detailed armor, horse and attendants, cleric reciting protection, king taking bow and stepping out, architectural palace gate, intricate patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सशरञ्चापं = saśaram + cāpam (m + c → ñc); धनुर्नागेति = dhanuḥnāga + iti (ḥ + n → rn in external sandhi); मन्त्रत = mantrataḥ (final visarga often dropped in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (Dhanurveda mantras and martial procedure)
FAQs
It prescribes a Dhanurveda procedure: after a protective invocation to all deities, the king should take up bow and arrows while reciting the specific bow-related mantra/formula “dhanur-nāga,” indicating mantra-empowered readiness in combat or deployment.
It blends statecraft and warfare (the king’s martial conduct) with ritual technology (mantra-based weapon consecration/activation), showing how the Agni Purana integrates practical military science with religious-ritual method.
Invoking universal divine protection before wielding weapons frames martial action as dharma-governed and ritually purified, aiming to reduce disorder (adharma) and align the act of force with sanctioned, protective intent.