Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
पतितानि तु संस्पर्शान्नन्दकस्य च तानि हि लोहभूतानि सर्वाणि हत्वा तस्मै हरिर्वरं
patitāni tu saṃsparśānnandakasya ca tāni hi lohabhūtāni sarvāṇi hatvā tasmai harirvaraṃ
जो गिर पड़े थे, वे नन्दक के स्पर्श मात्र से ही लोहे के हो गए; उन सबको मारकर हरि ने उसे एक वरदान दिया।
Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Highlights the sanctity and transformative power attributed to Viṣṇu’s sword Nandaka; supports ritual/visual identification of divine weapons in worship and iconography.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nandaka-sparśa: Transformation to Iron and Hari’s Vara-pradāna","lookup_keywords":["nandaka","sparśa","loha-bhūta","hari vara","divine weapon power"],"quick_summary":"Contact with Nandaka causes fallen foes to become ‘iron-like’ (loha-bhūta), emphasizing the sword’s supernatural potency; after victory, Hari grants a boon."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbole)
Weapon Type: Sword (Nandaka)
Concept: Divine grace (prasāda) follows righteous action; sacred implements carry transformative śakti.
Application: In devotional practice, treat sacred symbols/implements (āyudha, mālā, pavitra) as supports for discipline and remembrance.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Vaishnava Itihasa (Narratives of Vishnu’s exploits and divine weapons)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Fallen enemies touched by Nandaka become rigid and iron-like; Hari stands victorious, then gestures granting a boon to a devotee/ally.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Viṣṇu with Nandaka, fallen asuras rendered in dark metallic tones, subtle sheen; Hari’s hand in vara-mudrā; ornate borders and traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-work on Viṣṇu’s ornaments and sword; iron-transformed bodies stylized with silver/grey; boon-giving gesture emphasized; rich temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: delicate brushwork; clear depiction of ‘sparśa’ (touch) effect—Nandaka near fallen foes turning metallic; calm victorious Hari granting boon","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed textures showing flesh-to-metal transformation; courtly composition with Hari granting boon; fine rendering of sword hilt and reflective surfaces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संस्पर्शान्नन्दकस्य = संस्पर्शात् नन्दकस्य; लोहभूतानि = लोह-भूतानि; हरिर्वरं = हरिः वरं.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections describing Viṣṇu’s āyudhas and their worship; Agni Purana mantra/pujā passages where āyudha are invoked for protection
FAQs
This verse conveys a weapon-lore motif: the divine sword Nandaka has a transformative, supernatural effect by mere touch, illustrating the puranic concept of astras/āyudhas possessing inherent śakti (power).
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves mythic-technical descriptions of divine armaments and their effects—an encyclopedic cataloging of sacred lore, including narratives of combat and boons.
Hari granting a boon after the destruction of hostile forces reflects the puranic principle that divine aid and grace (vara) follow the restoration of dharma and the removal of obstructive, adharma-aligned threats.