Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
कायच्छिदस्त्वाषिकाः स्युर्दृढाः सूर्पारकोद्भवाः तीक्ष्णाश्छेदसहा वङ्गास्तीक्ष्णाःस्युश्चाङ्गदेशजाः
kāyacchidastvāṣikāḥ syurdṛḍhāḥ sūrpārakodbhavāḥ tīkṣṇāśchedasahā vaṅgāstīkṣṇāḥsyuścāṅgadeśajāḥ
Bilah (āṣikā) yang berasal dari Sūrpāraka dikatakan kokoh dan mampu membelah tubuh. Bilah dari Vaṅga tajam serta tahan terhadap tekanan pemotongan; dan bilah yang dihasilkan di negeri Aṅga juga diingat sebagai tajam.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Regional metallurgy/weapon procurement guidance: selecting blades by place-of-origin and expected performance (firmness, sharpness, durability).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Regional Blade Qualities: Sūrpāraka, Vaṅga, and Aṅga","lookup_keywords":["sūrpāraka āṣikā","vaṅga blade","aṅga sword","sharpness","durability"],"quick_summary":"Lists performance traits of blades by provenance: Sūrpāraka blades are firm and body-cutting; Vaṅga blades are sharp and endure cutting stress; Aṅga blades are also sharp—useful for procurement decisions."}
Weapon Type: Blades/Swords (āṣikā/khadga)
Concept: Guṇa-parīkṣā (assessment of qualities) and deśa-viśeṣa (regional specialization).
Application: Choose tools/materials based on proven provenance and performance metrics; institutionalize sourcing knowledge.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military science: weapons, metallurgy, blades)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Kingdom/Region
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three sets of blades displayed with labels: Sūrpāraka (firm, body-cutting), Vaṅga (sharp, durable), Aṅga (sharp). A quartermaster or guru explains procurement to soldiers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: weapon display with stylized regional labels; instructor pointing; background hints of coast for Sūrpāraka and riverine plains for Vaṅga/Aṅga; traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ceremonial armory tableau with gold detailing on hilts; three groups of swords with placards; dignified instructor; rich textile backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic chart-like painting—three columns for regions and qualities; clean depiction of blade profiles and edges; subtle color coding","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bustling armory market; merchants presenting blades from different regions; fine detail on steel patterns; scribe noting qualities"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कायच्छिदस्त्वाषिकाः = काय-च्छिदः तु आषिकाः; स्युर्दृढाः = स्युः दृढाः; सूर्पारकोद्भवाः = सूर्पारक-उद्भवाः; तीक्ष्णाश्छेदसहा = तीक्ष्णाः छेद-सहाः; वङ्गास्तीक्ष्णाःस्युश्चाङ्गदेशजाः = वङ्गाः तीक्ष्णाः स्युः च अङ्ग-देश-जाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda material on blade defects/qualities and testing; Agni Purana lists of weapons and their classifications
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-grade evaluation criteria for swords/blades by provenance—identifying regions whose blades are reputed for sharpness, firmness, and resistance to damage under cutting impact (cheda-sahā).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical military-technical knowledge—here, a catalog-like note on regional weapon manufacture and performance standards.
Indirectly, it supports dharma-protection (rakṣaṇa) by guiding kings/warriors toward reliable arms; in Purāṇic framing, competent defense of the realm is part of rājadharma and thus a meritorious duty.