Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
चतुरस्रमित्यादिः, पञ्चाशदङ्गुलोच्छ्रयैर् इत्यन्तः पाठः जपुस्तके नास्ति द्विहस्तमिति ट पूजयेत्तद्धनुरिति ग , घ , ञ च रुक्मपुङ्खाः सुपङ्कास्ते तैलधौताः सुवर्णकाः यात्रायामभिषेकादौ यजेद्वाणधनुर्मुखान्
caturasramityādiḥ, pañcāśadaṅgulocchrayair ityantaḥ pāṭhaḥ japustake nāsti dvihastamiti ṭa pūjayettaddhanuriti ga , gha , ña ca rukmapuṅkhāḥ supaṅkāste tailadhautāḥ suvarṇakāḥ yātrāyāmabhiṣekādau yajedvāṇadhanurmukhān
“ચતુરસ્ર”થી આરંભ કરીને “પચાસ અંગુલ ઊંચાઈ” સુધીનો પાઠ જપુસ્તકમાં મળતો નથી; અન્ય પાઠમાં “બે હાથ” માપ છે. કેટલીક પ્રતીઓ (ગ, ઘ, ઞ)માં “તે ધનુષ્યની પૂજા કરવી” એમ વાંચન છે. બાણો સુવર્ણ-પુંખવાળા, સુગઠિત, મસૃણ, તેલથી ધોયેલા અને સુવર્ણાભ છે; યાત્રા, અભિષેક વગેરે પ્રસંગે બાણ, ધનુષ્ય અને ધનુષ્ય-મુખ (નૉક)ની પૂજા કરવી જોઈએ।
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s primary frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual consecration and auspicious deployment of bow-and-arrow equipment for royal processions, campaigns, and ceremonial abhiṣeka; also gives material/finish standards for arrows.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhanur-bāṇa-pūjā and auspicious arrow specifications","lookup_keywords":["dhanus-puja","bana-puja","yatra-abhiṣeka","rukma-puṅkha","taila-dhauta"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes worship of bow, arrows, and bow-tip/nock-end during yātrā and abhiṣeka rites, and notes ideal arrow qualities (well-fitted, smooth, oil-polished, golden-fletched)."}
Weapon Type: Bow and arrows
Concept: Śastra as sacred technology: weapons are treated as ritually empowered instruments, not merely tools
Application: Before public procession or consecration, perform pūjā to align martial action with dharma and auspicious omens
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapon-consecration and ritual worship of bow and arrows)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal armory/ritual pavilion where bow, arrows, and the bow’s nock-end are arranged on a clean altar; arrows gleam with golden fletchings and oil-polished shafts; priests perform pūjā before a yātrā or abhiṣeka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, ritual pavilion with priests offering flowers and lamps to a bow and a bundle of golden-fletched arrows, ornate textiles, traditional oil lamps, calm ceremonial mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heavy gold leaf highlights on the bow and arrow fletchings, jeweled ornamentation, symmetrical altar layout, priests with ārati, deep red and green background, embossed gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing arrow construction details (smooth shaft, fitted fletching), a labeled ritual setup with bow-mouth/nock-end emphasized, soft pastel palette, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yātrā preparation scene in an armory courtyard, attendants presenting bow and arrows for worship, intricate textiles and architecture, delicate brushwork, naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुपङ्कास्ते = सु-पङ्काः ते; अभिषेकादौ = अभिषेक-आदौ; वाणधनुर्मुखान् = वाण-धनुः-मुखान् (समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वार्थे); इत्यन्तः = इति अन्तः; पञ्चाशदङ्गुलोच्छ्रयैर् = पञ्चाशत्-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रयैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on weapon-making, consecration, and astras (same khanda vicinity)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-linked instructions on the proper finishing of arrows (golden/metal fletchings, oil-polished) and prescribes ritual worship of arrows, bow, and bow-end during public processions and consecration ceremonies.
It combines practical weapon-craft details (materials, polishing/finish) with liturgical procedure (yajña-style worship at yātrā and abhiṣeka), showing how the text spans both military science and ritual religion.
Worshipping weapons at yātrā/abhiṣeka sacralizes instruments of power, aiming to purify their use, invoke auspiciousness and protection, and align martial activity with dharma rather than mere violence.