Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 27
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
खड्गे न पश्येद्वदनमुच्छिष्टो न स्पृशेदसिं मूल्यं जातिं न कथयेन्निशि कुर्यान्न शीर्षके
khaḍge na paśyedvadanamucchiṣṭo na spṛśedasiṃ mūlyaṃ jātiṃ na kathayenniśi kuryānna śīrṣake
Não se deve olhar o próprio rosto refletido na espada. Estando em estado de impureza por ter comido (ucchiṣṭa), não se deve tocar a espada. À noite não se deve falar do seu preço nem da sua procedência (linhagem/tipo), e não se deve colocá-la à cabeceira (da cama).
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of Agni Purana teachings)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Weapon etiquette and purity rules: handling restrictions, speech taboos, and safe placement to maintain discipline, respect, and readiness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Khadga-niyama (Sword Etiquette: Handling, Speech, Placement)","lookup_keywords":["khadga","niyama","ucchishta","taboo","bed"],"quick_summary":"Do not gaze at your face in the sword; do not touch it while ucchiṣṭa; do not discuss its price or lineage at night; do not place it at the head of the bed. These rules cultivate reverence, restraint, and safety."}
Weapon Type: Sword (Khadga/Asi)
Concept: Śauca (purity), niyama (discipline), and saṃskāra of tools as extensions of ethical conduct.
Application: Adopt handling protocols that reduce negligence, cultivate focus, and sacralize instruments of force.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Weapon-discipline and martial conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined warrior in a night setting refrains from touching the sword after eating, avoids looking at reflection in the blade, and places the sword safely to the side rather than at the head of the bed; an elder instructs the rules.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, interior night scene with oil lamp, warrior washing hands before touching sword, sword kept respectfully aside, elder guru gesturing ‘do not’ signs, strong outlines and earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-lit lamp and ornate scabbard, warrior seated near bed placing sword at the side, devotional aura of reverence toward weapon, rich textiles and gilded borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional four-panel layout: no reflection-gazing, no touching while ucchiṣṭa, no night talk of price/jāti, no placing at head; clean linework and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate chamber scene at night with attendants, warrior carefully storing sword away from headrest, subtle gestures indicating taboos, detailed fabrics and lamp glow"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paśyedvadanam → paśyet + vadanam; vadanamucchiṣṭaḥ → vadanam + ucchiṣṭaḥ (word boundary); spṛśedasiṃ → spṛśet + asim; kathayenniśi → kathayet + niśi; kuryānna → kuryāt + na.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 244 (śastra-ācāra/niyama)
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurvedic weapon-discipline: do not treat a sword as a mirror, avoid touching it while ucchiṣṭa (post-meal impurity), avoid night-time talk of its price/provenance, and do not keep it at the head of one’s bed.
Alongside theology and rites, the Agni Purana preserves practical conduct-codes for warfare and weapon culture—covering everyday handling, purity rules, and auspicious storage—showing its broad, manual-like scope.
The instructions sacralize the weapon as a potent object: maintaining purity and auspicious placement is presented as preventing inauspiciousness and cultivating disciplined, dharmic conduct in martial life.