Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 65
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
स्यात् कक्षपक्षोरस्यश् च वर्तमानस्तु दण्डकः तत्र प्रयोगो डण्डस्य स्थानन्तुर्येण दर्शयेत्
syāt kakṣapakṣorasyaś ca vartamānastu daṇḍakaḥ tatra prayogo ḍaṇḍasya sthānanturyeṇa darśayet
ಕೈ/ಆಯುಧದ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಕಕ್ಷ (ಬಗಲು) ಮತ್ತು ವಕ್ಷದ ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವಾಗ ಅದನ್ನು ‘ದಂಡಕ’ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದಂಡದ ಪ್ರಯೋಗವನ್ನು ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಸ್ಥಾನಾಂತರಗಳನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Staff-fighting pedagogy: define a named guard/stance (daṇḍaka) and teach sequential placements for correct application.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Daṇḍaka-sthāna: staff stance at armpit and chest-side","lookup_keywords":["daṇḍaka-sthāna","kakṣa","pakṣa","uras","daṇḍa-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"The daṇḍaka stance is held with the weapon position at the armpit and along the side of the chest. From this stance, the teacher demonstrates staff application through ordered, successive placements."}
Weapon Type: Staff (daṇḍa)
Concept: Abhyāsa-krama (progressive practice): correct posture precedes effective application
Application: Martial instruction: standardize guards and transitions to reduce error and improve repeatability under stress.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science: Archery and Weapon-Handling)
Primary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A martial instructor demonstrates the daṇḍaka stance: staff held near the armpit and along the chest-side, then shown moving through successive placements in a clear teaching sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, teacher and student in profile, staff tucked at armpit, bold outlines, minimal background, sequential ghosted positions of the staff to show movement.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central standing figure in daṇḍaka guard with gold accents on staff fittings and belt, smaller side panels showing successive placements like a teaching chart.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework and soft colors, instructional clarity: numbered placements around the figure, emphasis on armpit and chest-side alignment.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly akhara setting, master demonstrating staff guard to pupils, detailed textiles, multiple staff positions depicted in a narrative strip."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षपक्षोरस्यश् = कक्षपक्षोरस्यः (श्/स्-आदेश); वर्तमानस्तु = वर्तमानः तु; स्थानन्तुर्येण = स्थानम् तुर्येण.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: sections enumerating sthāna, cāra (footwork), and daṇḍa-prayoga (same khanda, adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Dhanurveda posture called “daṇḍaka” and instructs how to demonstrate staff-application through ordered, successive placements/positions.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical military science—codifying named stances and stepwise technique demonstration for weapons like the daṇḍa (staff).
As a dharmic manual, disciplined training and correct method reduce harm and support righteous protection (rakṣaṇa) when force is required, aligning martial skill with responsible conduct.