Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10

Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि

Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics

Devanagari script

माहिषं शारभं शार्ङ्गं रौहिषं वा धनुःशुभं चन्दनं वेतसं सालं धावलङ्ककुभन्तरुः

Transliteration

māhiṣaṃ śārabhaṃ śārṅgaṃ rauhiṣaṃ vā dhanuḥśubhaṃ candanaṃ vetasaṃ sālaṃ dhāvalaṅkakubhantaruḥ

Translation

ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଧନୁ ପାଇଁ ମାହିଷ, ଶାରଭ, ଶାର୍ଙ୍ଗ କିମ୍ବା ରୌହିଷ କାଠ ସୁପାରିଶ; ଏହା ସହ ଚନ୍ଦନ, ବେତସ, ସାଲ, ଧାବଳ, ଲଙ୍କକ ଓ କୁଭନ୍ତ ନାମକ ବୃକ୍ଷମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ।

Word by Word

• māhiṣam: buffalo-wood / māhiṣa wood
• māhiṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māhiṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg; wood type)

• śārabham: śārabha wood
• śārabham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śārabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• śārṅgam: śārṅga wood
• śārṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śārṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• rauhiṣam: rauhiṣa wood
• rauhiṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rauhiṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (or)

• dhanuḥ-śubham: good for a bow / bow-suitable
• dhanuḥ-śubham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक) + śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg); समासः—तत्पुरुष (धनुषः शुभम् / bow-suitable)

• candanam: sandalwood
• candanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• vetasam: cane / rattan
• vetasam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vetasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• sālam: śāla tree (wood)
• sālam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (Nom/Acc sg)

• dhāvalaṅkakubha-taruḥ: the dhāvalaṅkakubha tree
• dhāvalaṅkakubha-taruḥ: Karta (कर्ता) / Item-in-list (नामनिर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhāvalaṅkakubha (प्रातिपदिक) + taru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom sg); समासः—तत्पुरुष (धावलङ्ककुभः तरुः)

Speaker

Lord Agni (narrating Dhanurveda instructions)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhanuḥśubhaṃ = dhanuḥ + śubham; dhāvalaṅkakubhantaruḥ parsed as dhāvalaṅkakubha-taruḥ (tatpuruṣa).

Characters & Entities

• Agni Purana
• Dhanurveda
• Dhanu (bow)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It specifies the technical Dhanurveda knowledge of selecting appropriate woods/timbers considered suitable for crafting a strong and ‘excellent’ bow.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

By cataloging practical materials for weapon manufacture, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving applied military science (Dhanurveda) alongside ritual and spiritual topics.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

While primarily technical, choosing ‘dhanuḥ-śubha’ (fit/auspicious) materials aligns craftsmanship with dharma—supporting righteous protection and disciplined martial practice rather than harm for adharmic ends.