Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
शतार्धमङ्गुलानाञ्च श्रेष्ठं खद्गं प्रकीर्तितं लोहदैत्यमित्यादिः, हर्षिता इत्य् अन्तः पाठः ज पुस्तके नास्ति तस्मात्तु नन्दक इति घ , ञ च महादेव इति ज तदर्धं मध्यमं ज्ञेयं ततो हीनं न धारयेत्
śatārdhamaṅgulānāñca śreṣṭhaṃ khadgaṃ prakīrtitaṃ lohadaityamityādiḥ, harṣitā ity antaḥ pāṭhaḥ ja pustake nāsti tasmāttu nandaka iti gha , ña ca mahādeva iti ja tadardhaṃ madhyamaṃ jñeyaṃ tato hīnaṃ na dhārayet
Pedang sepanjang seratus setengah aṅgula (śatārdha-aṅgula) dinyatakan sebagai yang terbaik. Di sini disebutkan pula perbedaan bacaan naskah—seperti “lohadaitya-…”, serta bahwa bacaan “harṣitā” tidak terdapat dalam manuskrip ‘ja’; pada sebagian naskah terbaca “nandaka”, dan dalam ‘ja’ terbaca “mahādeva”. Setengah dari ukuran itu dipahami sebagai tingkat ‘menengah’; pedang yang lebih pendek dari itu tidak patut dibawa.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing sword length for selection, commissioning, and safe carry; defining minimum usable length for combat readiness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Khagda-pramāṇa (Best, Middling, Minimum Sword Length)","lookup_keywords":["khadga","pramana","angula","nandika","weapon-measurement"],"quick_summary":"The best sword length is defined as 150 aṅgulas; half of that is the middling grade. A sword shorter than the middling measure is discouraged for carrying/usage."}
Weapon Type: Sword (Khadga/Asi)
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) as the basis of efficacy and safety in applied sciences.
Application: Use a consistent unit (aṅgula) to prevent faulty weapons and ensure predictable handling.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapon-science: swords and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weapon-smith and a warrior measuring a sword with aṅgula marks on a measuring rod; three swords displayed as best, middling, and rejected short blade; marginal palm-leaf manuscript variants noted beside the verse.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthy reds and greens, a traditional śilpin measuring a khadga with aṅgula scale, warrior in dhoti holding the uttama sword, stylized palm-leaf manuscript with variant readings in the border, temple-workshop ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the sword and measuring scale, seated warrior patron commissioning an uttama khadga, ornate workshop details, rich maroons and greens, embossed jewelry and weapon fittings","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing aṅgula divisions on a ruler, three graded swords labeled uttama/madhyama/adhama, instructional diagram feel with soft pastel background and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court atelier scene with an armourer presenting measured swords to a noble, precise measurement rod, calligraphic marginalia indicating variant readings, detailed textiles and metallic sheen"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śatārdham → śata-ardham; aṅgulānāñca → aṅgulānām + ca; tasmāttu (in prose note) → tasmāt + tu; kathayenniśi (elsewhere) → kathayet + niśi; kuryānna → kuryāt + na. Editorial/prose notes like ‘lohadaityamityādiḥ…’ omitted from pada analysis as non-verse apparatus.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 244 (Dhanurveda: śastra-lakṣaṇa and niyama)
FAQs
It gives a Dhanurveda standard for sword length: 150 aṅgulas is ‘best’, half of that is ‘medium’, and anything shorter should not be carried.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical martial specifications—weapon classification and measurement—typical of an encyclopedic Purāṇa.
By prescribing correct standards for arms, it frames warfare and protection as disciplined, rule-governed conduct (dharma in action), discouraging improper or ineffective weapon-bearing.