Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
नवानान्तु यथासङ्ख्यं निधिकुम्भः पूर्णस्तथोत्तरः आसनं प्रथमं दत्त्वा ताड्योल्लिख्यशराणुना
navānāntu yathāsaṅkhyaṃ nidhikumbhaḥ pūrṇastathottaraḥ āsanaṃ prathamaṃ dattvā tāḍyollikhyaśarāṇunā
Ensuite, selon l’ordre prescrit, (dispose) les neuf (cibles). Vient ensuite une «jarre de trésor» (nidhi-kumbha) remplie (jusqu’au bord). Après avoir d’abord pris la posture correcte de tir, on doit frapper puis marquer/inciser (la cible) avec la pointe de la flèche.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Archery practice protocol: arranging targets in sequence, using a filled kumbha as a target, adopting correct stance, striking, and then marking the hit-point with the arrow-tip for accuracy training.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Archery Drill: Nine Targets and Nidhi-Kumbha Marking Practice","lookup_keywords":["Dhanurveda","āsana","target practice","nidhi-kumbha","arrow point"],"quick_summary":"Gives a stepwise drill: set nine targets in order, include a filled treasure-jar target, take proper shooting posture, strike, and incise/mark the target with the arrow-tip to verify precision."}
Weapon Type: Bow and arrow (śara)
Concept: Abhyāsa (repetition) with measurable feedback: posture + strike + mark = skill acquisition through verification.
Application: Design practice sessions with ordered targets and objective marking of hits to track improvement and correct form.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and weapon-practice procedures)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An archer on a practice ground faces nine arranged targets; one target is a brimming treasure-jar (kumbha). After shooting, the archer approaches to incise/mark the hit-point with the arrow-tip, while a trainer observes posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized archery ground with nine circular targets and a decorated kumbha target, archer in firm stance, bold outlines, minimal depth, dynamic yet ritualized composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic archer with ornate bow, gold-highlighted kumbha target filled to brim, targets arranged symmetrically, rich decorative borders, emphasis on auspicious vessel motif","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: archer demonstrating correct āsana, sequential targets numbered, close-up of arrow-tip marking the target, soft shading and clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed training courtyard with instructor and archer, nine targets in perspective, a painted treasure-jar target, fine depiction of arrow impact and marking action, delicate landscape backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: navānāntu = navānām tu; pūrṇastathottaraḥ = pūrṇaḥ tathā uttaraḥ; tāḍyollikhyaśarāṇunā = tāḍya ullikhya śara-aṇunā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections (archery practice and posture instructions)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda training sequence: arranging targets in a fixed order, taking the correct shooting posture (āsana), and executing a precise strike with the arrow-tip to mark/score the target.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical martial pedagogy—how to structure archery drills, define target-forms (like the nidhi-kumbha), and standardize technique—showing its wide coverage of applied sciences.
In the Purāṇic frame, disciplined weapon-training supports dharma-protection: mastery through order, posture, and precision is portrayed as a righteous skill when used to uphold social and moral duty.