Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
विस्तारेण त्रिहस्तं स्यात् सुवर्णाद्यैश् च चित्रितं धनुर्द्रव्यत्रयं लोहं शृङ्गं दारु द्विजोत्तम
vistāreṇa trihastaṃ syāt suvarṇādyaiś ca citritaṃ dhanurdravyatrayaṃ lohaṃ śṛṅgaṃ dāru dvijottama
पूर्ण विस्ताराने (धनुष्य) तीन हस्त असावे व सुवर्णादि धातूंनी चित्रित/अलंकृत करता येते. हे द्विजोत्तम, धनुष्याची तीन द्रव्ये—लोह, शृंग आणि दारु (लाकूड) आहेत.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidelines for bow dimensions, ornamentation, and material selection for performance and status display.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dhanus-pramāṇa and Dhanur-dravya-traya (metal–horn–wood)","lookup_keywords":["dhanus","trihasta","suvarṇa-citraṇa","loha","śṛṅga","dāru"],"quick_summary":"A bow’s full measure is set at three hastas, optionally ornamented; bow-making recognizes three principal material bases—metal, horn, and wood."}
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanus)
Concept: Pramāṇa (standard measure) and dravya-bheda (material taxonomy) as the basis of reliable weapon performance.
Application: Select bow type by material availability and desired properties (spring, resilience, weight), keeping canonical length for predictable draw and aim.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Archery and Weapon-Craft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bow-maker presents a three-hasta bow, inlaid with gold patterns, alongside samples of metal, horn, and wood used in bow construction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: artisan and warrior in profile, three-hasta bow held horizontally, gold-like ochre ornament motifs, material samples (loha, śṛṅga, dāru) arranged on a mat, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly decorated bow with gold leaf filigree, gemstones on grip, material triad displayed; frontal iconic composition with heavy ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional panel showing bow length marked as 3 hastas, side notes for three materials; delicate shading, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court workshop scene, bow being gilded, horn and wood pieces on a low table, metal fittings nearby; fine textile and tool details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hindol","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिहस्तं → त्रि-हस्तम्; सुवर्णाद्यैश् → सुवर्ण-आद्यैः; धनुर्द्रव्यत्रयं → धनुः-द्रव्य-त्रयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow types, bowstringing, and arrow-making; Agni Purana māna system (hasta/aṅgula) used across crafts
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurvedic specifications for a bow: a standard measure (three hands) and the accepted material classes—metal, horn, and wood—along with optional precious ornamentation.
By preserving practical military-technical knowledge (weapon dimensions, materials, and finishing), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that includes warfare sciences alongside ritual, ethics, and other disciplines.
Within a dharmic framework, correct construction and proper specification of weapons supports righteous protection (rakṣaṇa) and disciplined use of force, aligning martial practice with dharma rather than harm driven by adharma.