Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
पृथग्वा विप्र मिश्रं वा लौहं शार्ङ्गन्तु कारयेत् शार्ङ्गं समुचितं कार्यं रुक्मविन्दुविभूषितं
pṛthagvā vipra miśraṃ vā lauhaṃ śārṅgantu kārayet śārṅgaṃ samucitaṃ kāryaṃ rukmavinduvibhūṣitaṃ
Hendaklah dibuat busur Śārṅga sama ada daripada besi semata-mata atau besi yang dialoi dengan vipra (logam cerah yang istimewa). Śārṅga itu wajib dibentuk dengan ukuran yang sepadan serta dihiasi dengan tatahan titik-titik emas.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Selection and fabrication of a Śārṅga-type bow using specified metals, correct proportions, and decorative inlay for durability and prestige.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śārṅga-dhanuḥ nirmāṇa (iron/bright-alloy bow with gold inlay)","lookup_keywords":["śārṅga-dhanuḥ","lauha","vipra-miśra","rūkma-bindu","pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"A Śārṅga bow should be forged from iron or iron alloyed with a bright metal (vipra), made in correct proportion, and finished with gold dot-inlays—combining strength, balance, and auspicious ornament."}
Weapon Type: Bow (Śārṅga)
Concept: Yukta-pramāṇa (right measure) and guṇa (material quality) determine efficacy of an instrument.
Application: Adopt standards-based fabrication: choose proven alloys, enforce dimensional correctness, and use finishing that supports both function and auspiciousness.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and Weapon-Craft)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weapon-smith presents a newly forged Śārṅga bow: dark iron body, bright alloy sheen, and small gold dot-inlays; measuring cords and templates indicate correct proportion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, artisan forging a Śārṅga bow of iron with bright alloy highlights, gold dot inlays, measuring cord, workshop with traditional tools, dignified heroic mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śārṅga bow displayed on a cloth, gold leaf work emphasizing rūkma-bindu inlays, ornate borders, deep reds and greens, auspicious craftsmanship theme","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional composition: bow profile with proportional markings, artisan demonstrating inlaying gold dots into iron bow, delicate lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armory workshop, smith and patron inspecting an iron Śārṅga bow with gold dot inlays, fine textiles, precise tool depiction, naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pṛthagvā = pṛthak + vā; śārṅgantu = śārṅgam + tu; rukmavinduvibhūṣitaṃ treated as tatpuruṣa compound; kārayet taken as causative of √kṛ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow-types, arrow-making, and weapon-worship (same khanda/adhyāya cluster around 244)
FAQs
This verse teaches Dhanurveda craftsmanship: the prescribed material choice for making a Śārṅga-bow (iron alone or iron alloyed with a bright metal) and the requirement of correct proportions with gold inlay-style ornamentation.
By detailing practical weapon-manufacture—materials, alloying, proportional design, and decorative finishing—it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology into applied military science and artisanal technology.
In the Purāṇic worldview, crafting weapons according to śāstric specification supports righteous protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa) and disciplined conduct in warfare, aligning technical skill with ethical use rather than mere violence.