Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
विस्तारेण त्रिहस्तं स्यात् सुवर्णाद्यैश् च चित्रितं धनुर्द्रव्यत्रयं लोहं शृङ्गं दारु द्विजोत्तम
vistāreṇa trihastaṃ syāt suvarṇādyaiś ca citritaṃ dhanurdravyatrayaṃ lohaṃ śṛṅgaṃ dāru dvijottama
पूर्ण विस्तार में (धनुष) तीन हस्त का हो और सुवर्ण आदि से अलंकृत किया जा सकता है। हे द्विजोत्तम, धनुष के तीन द्रव्य हैं—लोहा, शृंग और दारु (लकड़ी)।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidelines for bow dimensions, ornamentation, and material selection for performance and status display.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dhanus-pramāṇa and Dhanur-dravya-traya (metal–horn–wood)","lookup_keywords":["dhanus","trihasta","suvarṇa-citraṇa","loha","śṛṅga","dāru"],"quick_summary":"A bow’s full measure is set at three hastas, optionally ornamented; bow-making recognizes three principal material bases—metal, horn, and wood."}
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanus)
Concept: Pramāṇa (standard measure) and dravya-bheda (material taxonomy) as the basis of reliable weapon performance.
Application: Select bow type by material availability and desired properties (spring, resilience, weight), keeping canonical length for predictable draw and aim.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Archery and Weapon-Craft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bow-maker presents a three-hasta bow, inlaid with gold patterns, alongside samples of metal, horn, and wood used in bow construction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: artisan and warrior in profile, three-hasta bow held horizontally, gold-like ochre ornament motifs, material samples (loha, śṛṅga, dāru) arranged on a mat, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly decorated bow with gold leaf filigree, gemstones on grip, material triad displayed; frontal iconic composition with heavy ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional panel showing bow length marked as 3 hastas, side notes for three materials; delicate shading, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court workshop scene, bow being gilded, horn and wood pieces on a low table, metal fittings nearby; fine textile and tool details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hindol","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिहस्तं → त्रि-हस्तम्; सुवर्णाद्यैश् → सुवर्ण-आद्यैः; धनुर्द्रव्यत्रयं → धनुः-द्रव्य-त्रयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow types, bowstringing, and arrow-making; Agni Purana māna system (hasta/aṅgula) used across crafts
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurvedic specifications for a bow: a standard measure (three hands) and the accepted material classes—metal, horn, and wood—along with optional precious ornamentation.
By preserving practical military-technical knowledge (weapon dimensions, materials, and finishing), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that includes warfare sciences alongside ritual, ethics, and other disciplines.
Within a dharmic framework, correct construction and proper specification of weapons supports righteous protection (rakṣaṇa) and disciplined use of force, aligning martial practice with dharma rather than harm driven by adharma.