Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 49
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
मण्डलांसंहतो भोगो दण्डास्ते बहुधा शृणु तिर्यग्वृत्तिस्तु दण्डः स्याद् भोगो ऽन्यावृत्तिरेव च
maṇḍalāṃsaṃhato bhogo daṇḍāste bahudhā śṛṇu tiryagvṛttistu daṇḍaḥ syād bhogo 'nyāvṛttireva ca
ମଣ୍ଡଳାକାରେ ସଂହତ ଭାବେ ଘନ ଭାବରେ ଘୁରିଥିବା କୁଣ୍ଡଳକୁ ‘ଭୋଗ’ କୁହାଯାଏ। ‘ଦଣ୍ଡ’ର ଅନେକ ଭେଦ ଅଛି—ଶୁଣ। ତିର୍ୟକ୍ (ପାର୍ଶ୍ୱ) ଭାବରେ ଘୁରୁଥିବା ବୃତ୍ତି ‘ଦଣ୍ଡ’, ଏବଂ ତାହାଠାରୁ ଭିନ୍ନ ଅନ୍ୟ ଘୁରଣ ‘ଭୋଗ’ ଅଟେ।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Technical identification of bow-stave/weapon components and their permissible bends/turns for correct manufacture, inspection, and handling in training.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bhoga and Daṇḍa: transverse vs alternate winding/turning","lookup_keywords":["bhoga","daṇḍa","maṇḍala-āsaṃhata","tiryagvṛtti","weapon-coil"],"quick_summary":"Defines two technical forms: bhoga as a compact circular coil/turning, and daṇḍa as a transverse (sideways) movement/turning—useful for classifying bends and handling patterns in weapon craft and practice."}
Weapon Type: Bow (component/curvature terminology)
Concept: Lakṣaṇa (definition) as a means to mastery of applied arts.
Application: Use definitional clarity to standardize training, inspection, and transmission of martial-craft knowledge.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science: weapons, grips, and combat technique)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weapons-master demonstrates two kinds of bending/turning on a bow-stave or coiled cord: a compact circular coil (bhoga) and a sideways transverse turn (daṇḍa), with students observing labeled forms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, gurukula weapons lesson, acharya holding a bow-stave showing compact circular coil and transverse turn, earthy reds and greens, bold outlines, palm-leaf labels for 'bhoga' and 'daṇḍa', temple-school backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, martial preceptor seated on a low pedestal, gold-leaf highlights on bow and coils, two schematic forms displayed like sacred diagrams, rich maroon background, ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagrammatic scene with fine linework, two labeled curvature types on a bow-stave, students with writing boards, soft pastel palette, emphasis on clarity and measurement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like weapons workshop, master craftsman and archer examining bow-stave bends, two contrasting turns shown on a table, delicate detailing, architectural niche background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: maṇḍalāṃsaṃhataḥ → maṇḍala-asaṃhataḥ (ā + a sandhi); daṇḍāste → daṇḍāḥ te (visarga sandhi); tiryagvṛttiḥ tu → tiryag-vṛttiḥ tu; syād → syāt (final d from sandhi); bhogo 'nyāvṛttiḥ → bhogaḥ anyā-vṛttiḥ; vṛttir eva → vṛttiḥ eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (Dhanurveda: bow/weapon defects and classifications)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda terminology: distinguishing a transverse striking/turning mode called daṇḍa from a compact circular coiling/winding form called bhoga—useful for classifying weapon motions and grips.
By preserving precise, technical definitions from martial science (Dhanurveda), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a reference manual spanning beyond ritual and theology into practical disciplines like combat method and weapon mechanics.
While primarily technical, the instruction supports dharmic protection: mastery of disciplined martial knowledge is framed in Purāṇic literature as enabling righteous defense of society and the maintenance of order (dharma).