Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 34
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
अर्धरात्रेषु सन्नद्धः खड्गचापशरादिमान् एकवासा विचित्रेण रक्तपीतासितेन वा
ardharātreṣu sannaddhaḥ khaḍgacāpaśarādimān ekavāsā vicitreṇa raktapītāsitena vā
ଅର୍ଧରାତ୍ରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସଜ୍ଜିତ ହୋଇ—ଖଡ୍ଗ, ଧନୁ, ଶର ଆଦି ଧାରଣ କରି—ଏକମାତ୍ର ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପିନ୍ଧିବ; ସେ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ବିଚିତ୍ରବର୍ଣ୍ଣ, କିମ୍ବା ରକ୍ତ, ପୀତ, ଅସିତ (କଳା) ହେବ।
Lord Agni (in instruction mode to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Night-readiness protocol: maintain arms and equipment at midnight; use specific clothing constraints/colors for stealth, identification, or ritualized readiness in nocturnal operations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Midnight readiness: arms carried and single-garment color code","lookup_keywords":["ardharātra","sannaddha","khaḍga","cāpa-śara","eka-vāsa"],"quick_summary":"For midnight operations one remains fully armed (sword, bow, arrows, etc.) and wears a single garment, either variegated or in red/yellow/black—suggesting tactical or rite-linked dress discipline."}
Weapon Type: Sword; Bow; Arrows
Concept: Preparedness (sannaddhatā) and regulated conduct at liminal times (midnight) are force-multipliers in protection and conquest.
Application: Adopt fixed watch-times, keep weapons ready, and standardize dress for night drills and identification/stealth protocols.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science: night-operations and readiness)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A warrior at midnight, fully equipped with sword at waist and bow with quiver, wearing a single colored garment; dim torchlight, tense readiness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, deep indigo night backdrop, stylized warrior with khaḍga and cāpa, single cloth in red/yellow/black, strong outlines, minimal props like torch and watch-post.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heroic warrior figure with gold-highlighted weapons, dramatic midnight setting, single garment with rich patterning, aura of valor.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of equipment placement (sword, bow, quiver), posture of readiness, garment color variants shown as small side panels, refined linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal camp scene with guards, realistic weapon details, moonlit palette, one guard prominently in single garment, poised and vigilant."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: खड्गचापशरादिमान् = खड्ग + चाप + शर + आदि + मान्; रक्तपीतासितेन = रक्त + पीत + असित + एन (तृतीया एकवचन)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhanurveda chapters on weapons, formations, and soldier discipline (same khanda)
FAQs
It gives a Dhanurvedic operational rule: maintain midnight readiness with standard weapon-kit (sword, bow, arrows) and a prescribed single garment with specified colors, indicating disciplined night deployment/guard protocol.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical guidance—here, military preparedness and field protocol—showing its coverage of applied sciences (vidyās) like Dhanurveda.
The verse frames protection and vigilance as dharma-aligned conduct: disciplined readiness (without negligence) supports righteous safeguarding of self and community, aligning action with duty rather than impulsive violence.