Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
नवानान्तु यथासङ्ख्यं निधिकुम्भः पूर्णस्तथोत्तरः आसनं प्रथमं दत्त्वा ताड्योल्लिख्यशराणुना
navānāntu yathāsaṅkhyaṃ nidhikumbhaḥ pūrṇastathottaraḥ āsanaṃ prathamaṃ dattvā tāḍyollikhyaśarāṇunā
പിന്നീട് ക്രമാനുസാരമായി ഒമ്പത് (ലക്ഷ്യങ്ങൾ) സ്ഥാപിക്കണം; തുടർന്ന് നിറഞ്ഞ നിധികുംഭം (സ്ഥാപിക്കണം). ആദ്യം യോജ്യമായ ആസനം/സ്ഥിതി സ്വീകരിച്ച്, അമ്പിന്റെ അഗ്രംകൊണ്ട് അടിച്ച് ലക്ഷ്യത്തെ അടയാളപ്പെടുത്തി/കൊത്തിവരയ്ക്കണം।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Archery practice protocol: arranging targets in sequence, using a filled kumbha as a target, adopting correct stance, striking, and then marking the hit-point with the arrow-tip for accuracy training.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Archery Drill: Nine Targets and Nidhi-Kumbha Marking Practice","lookup_keywords":["Dhanurveda","āsana","target practice","nidhi-kumbha","arrow point"],"quick_summary":"Gives a stepwise drill: set nine targets in order, include a filled treasure-jar target, take proper shooting posture, strike, and incise/mark the target with the arrow-tip to verify precision."}
Weapon Type: Bow and arrow (śara)
Concept: Abhyāsa (repetition) with measurable feedback: posture + strike + mark = skill acquisition through verification.
Application: Design practice sessions with ordered targets and objective marking of hits to track improvement and correct form.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and weapon-practice procedures)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An archer on a practice ground faces nine arranged targets; one target is a brimming treasure-jar (kumbha). After shooting, the archer approaches to incise/mark the hit-point with the arrow-tip, while a trainer observes posture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized archery ground with nine circular targets and a decorated kumbha target, archer in firm stance, bold outlines, minimal depth, dynamic yet ritualized composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic archer with ornate bow, gold-highlighted kumbha target filled to brim, targets arranged symmetrically, rich decorative borders, emphasis on auspicious vessel motif","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: archer demonstrating correct āsana, sequential targets numbered, close-up of arrow-tip marking the target, soft shading and clear didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed training courtyard with instructor and archer, nine targets in perspective, a painted treasure-jar target, fine depiction of arrow impact and marking action, delicate landscape backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: navānāntu = navānām tu; pūrṇastathottaraḥ = pūrṇaḥ tathā uttaraḥ; tāḍyollikhyaśarāṇunā = tāḍya ullikhya śara-aṇunā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections (archery practice and posture instructions)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda training sequence: arranging targets in a fixed order, taking the correct shooting posture (āsana), and executing a precise strike with the arrow-tip to mark/score the target.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical martial pedagogy—how to structure archery drills, define target-forms (like the nidhi-kumbha), and standardize technique—showing its wide coverage of applied sciences.
In the Purāṇic frame, disciplined weapon-training supports dharma-protection: mastery through order, posture, and precision is portrayed as a righteous skill when used to uphold social and moral duty.