Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 11
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
शीर्षण्यञ्च शिरस्त्रे ऽथ तनुत्रं वर्म दंशनं आमुक्तः प्रतिमुक्तश् च पिनद्धश्चापिनद्धवत्
śīrṣaṇyañca śirastre 'tha tanutraṃ varma daṃśanaṃ āmuktaḥ pratimuktaś ca pinaddhaścāpinaddhavat
‘ശീർഷണ്യ’യും ‘ശിരസ്ത്ര’വും ശിരസ്സിന്റെ സംരക്ഷണത്തെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. അതുപോലെ ‘തനുത്ര’, ‘വർമ’, ‘ദംശന’ എന്നിവ ദേഹകവചത്തിന്റെ നാമങ്ങളാണ്. കവചധാരണത്തിൽ ‘ആമുക്ത’ം ധരിച്ചതും, ‘പ്രതിമുക്ത’ം അഴിച്ചുമാറ്റിയതും, ‘പിനദ്ധ’ം കെട്ടിപ്പുറപ്പിച്ചതും, ‘അപിനദ്ധവത്’ കെട്ടാത്തതുപോലെ ശിഥിലമായതുമെന്നർത്ഥം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the encyclopedic Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Standardize battlefield and armoury terminology for clear commands: identify armour pieces and states of wearing (donning, doffing, fastened, loosely worn).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Armour terminology: head-protection, body-armour, and wearing-states","lookup_keywords":["śīrṣaṇya","śiras-tra","tanutra/varman/daṃśana","āmukta/pratimukta","pinaddha/apinaddhavat"],"quick_summary":"Defines technical synonyms for head-gear and body-armour, and distinguishes operational states of armour (put on, removed, strapped, loosely/appearing unstrapped) for precise military usage."}
Weapon Type: Armour (head-protection and body-armour)
Concept: Śabda-niyama (controlled terminology) as a tool of effective action
Application: Use unambiguous terms to prevent battlefield confusion and ensure equipment safety/readiness.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military science: arms, armour, and battlefield terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An armoury inspection: soldiers donning helmets and cuirasses while an instructor points out names and checks straps—some armour fastened tight, some worn loose.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, stylized warriors in profile, instructor labeling head-gear and body-armour, clear strap details, armoury setting, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on helmets and cuirasses, royal armoury scene, instructor demonstrating āmukta/pratimukta and pinaddha states, rich textiles and ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional tableau of armour parts with Sanskrit labels, calm palette, soldiers shown in four states of wearing, emphasis on straps and fittings","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armour textures, courtly armour inspection, commander and scribes, multiple figures showing donned/removed/fastened/loose armour, architectural interior with patterned floor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śīrṣaṇyaṃ+ca→śīrṣaṇyañca; śirastre+atha→śirastre 'tha; pinaddhaḥ+ca+apinaddhavat→pinaddhaścāpinaddhavat; pratimuktaḥ+ca→pratimuktaś ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on weapons/armour nomenclature (same khanda, adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurveda vocabulary: precise Sanskrit terms for headgear and body armour, and technical descriptors for armour being donned, removed, fastened, or worn loosely.
Beyond theology, it functions like a technical glossary for warfare and equipment—preserving standardized terminology for armour and its states of use, typical of the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary coverage.
Indirectly, it supports righteous protection and disciplined conduct in battle: correct knowledge and proper preparedness are framed as aids to dharmic kingship and orderly defense rather than reckless violence.