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
Après avoir entendu l’énoncé : « Que toutes les divinités protègent (moi) », le roi doit s’avancer, prenant l’arc avec les flèches, tout en récitant, selon le mantra, la formule « 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.