Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 2
Śrīrāmāvatāra-kathana (Account of the Rāma Incarnation) — Kiṣkindhā Alliance and the Search for Sītā
सप्त तालान् विनिर्भिद्य शरेणैकेन पश्यतः पादेन दुन्दुभेः कायञ् चिक्षेप दशयोजनं
sapta tālān vinirbhidya śareṇaikena paśyataḥ pādena dundubheḥ kāyañ cikṣepa daśayojanaṃ
На глазах у всех он одной стрелой пробил семь пальм тāла; и ногой отбросил тело Дунду́бхи на расстояние десяти йоджан.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic/martial exempla to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Demonstrates tests of martial capability (strength and archery precision) used to establish credibility in alliances and leadership decisions.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Archery Proof: Seven Tāla Piercing and Dundubhi Hurling","lookup_keywords":["sapta-tala-vidarana","eka-shara","Dundubhi","bala-pariksha","archery feat"],"quick_summary":"A single arrow pierces seven tāla palms, and Dundubhi’s body is kicked ten yojanas—classic Dhanurveda-style proof of extraordinary strength and aim, used as a public demonstration."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic heroic exaggeration)
Weapon Type: Bow and Arrow
Concept: Competence must be demonstrable; rightful action in conflict often requires establishing capability and trust through verifiable tests.
Application: In leadership and coalition-building, provide measurable demonstrations of skill rather than mere claims.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Archery and Martial Feats)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A heroic demonstration: the archer releases one arrow that passes through seven tall tāla palms; nearby, Dundubhi’s massive body is kicked and flies far as astonished onlookers watch.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic archery pose with taut bow, seven stylized palm trunks aligned, arrow streak motif, Dundubhi’s body shown mid-flight, onlookers in expressive gestures, bold contrasting colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central heroic archer with gold halo, seven palms in a neat row, arrow depicted as a golden line, Dundubhi’s body airborne, heavy gold ornamentation emphasizing power","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of alignment of targets, archer stance and bow draw, measured spacing of seven palms, spectators at side, detailed anatomy and calm precision","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic palms and terrain, archer in profile releasing arrow, spectators reacting, Dundubhi’s body arcing through the air, fine shading and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"triumphant","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śareṇaikena → śareṇa + ekena; kāyañ → kāyam (anusvāra before c); daśayojanaṃ → daśa-yojanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 8.1 (friendship with Sugriva); Agni Purana 8.3 (Vali’s slaying and transfer of rule)
FAQs
It conveys Dhanurveda benchmarks of mastery: penetrative accuracy (piercing multiple tāla trunks with one arrow) and bodily strength (projecting an opponent’s body over a measured distance).
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical martial standards—archery performance metrics and distance measures—showing its wide scope across warfare science and cultural ideals of heroism.
By praising disciplined prowess and controlled power, it reinforces the kṣatriya ideal: strength yoked to skill and duty (dharma), not mere violence—an ethic repeatedly upheld in puranic instruction.