Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
सर्वश्रेष्ठं धनुर्वंशैर् गृहीतैः शरदि श्रितैः पूजयेत्तु धनुः खड्गमन्त्रैस्त्रैलोक्यमोहनैः
sarvaśreṣṭhaṃ dhanurvaṃśair gṛhītaiḥ śaradi śritaiḥ pūjayettu dhanuḥ khaḍgamantraistrailokyamohanaiḥ
शरद् ऋतु में बाँस/वंश से प्राप्त श्रेष्ठ धनुर्दण्डों को लेकर, त्रैलोक्य-मोहन कहे जाने वाले खड्ग-मन्त्रों द्वारा धनुष का विधिपूर्वक पूजन करे।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Ritual consecration of weapons (bow) in an auspicious season using specific mantras to sacralize and psychologically empower the warrior.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhanuḥ-pūjā in Śarad (weapon worship with khaḍga-mantras)","lookup_keywords":["śarad","dhanuḥ-pūjā","vaṃśa","khaḍga-mantra","trailokya-mohana"],"quick_summary":"After procuring the best bow-staves in autumn, one should worship/consecrate the bow using sword-mantras famed for ‘enchanting the three worlds’, integrating craftsmanship with ritual empowerment."}
Weapon Type: Bow (and sword-mantras used for bow worship)
Concept: Saṃskāra (consecratory refinement) aligns human intent, mantra, and instrument for effective action.
Application: Before martial use, perform a structured pūjā/mantra regimen to cultivate focus, ethical restraint, and confidence, alongside material readiness.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapon-consecration and martial ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In autumn, a warrior-priest arrangement: bow-staves gathered, the completed bow placed on an altar with lamps and offerings; the officiant recites khaḍga-mantras over the bow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, autumnal palette, altar with bow and bamboo staves, priest/warrior performing pūjā with lamps and flowers, mantra recitation posture, sacred atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, consecrated bow on a pedestal with gold-leaf halo-like ornament, offerings and lamps, priest chanting, rich gold work emphasizing sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear ritual-instruction scene: steps of dhanuḥ-pūjā shown (staves, altar, mantra recitation), fine linework and gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly armory chapel scene: noble warrior and priest consecrating a bow, detailed textiles, lamps, incense, autumn garden visible in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhanurvaṃśair = dhanuḥ + vaṃśaiḥ; pūjayettu = pūjayet + tu; khaḍgamantrais = khaḍga-mantraiḥ; trailokyamohanaiḥ = trailokya-mohanaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on mantra, nyāsa, and pūjā-vidhi; Dhanurveda passages on weapon sanctification (around 244)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda-oriented rite: obtain superior bow-materials (bow-staves/bamboo) specifically in the autumn season and perform formal worship of the bow using khaḍga (sword) mantras.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied disciplines like Dhanurveda—linking material selection (weapon components), calendrical timing (autumn), and mantra-technology (weapon mantras) into a practical manual-like instruction.
Weapon-worship with mantras sacralizes instruments of force, placing their use under dharmic restraint; the act is framed as purification and empowerment, seeking auspicious efficacy and protection through ritually sanctioned means.