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
“Bhoga” é uma espira circular compactada; e o “daṇḍa” possui muitas variedades—ouve. O movimento transversal (lateral) chama-se “daṇḍa”, ao passo que “bhoga” é precisamente o outro tipo de volta, isto é, um modo diferente de enrolamento circular.
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).