Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 9
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
स्थूलस्य तस्य पुच्छस्थां कृत्वोल्कां विपुलां द्विज विसृजेच्च ततश् चैवमुल्कापातं प्रदर्शयेत्
sthūlasya tasya pucchasthāṃ kṛtvolkāṃ vipulāṃ dvija visṛjecca tataś caivamulkāpātaṃ pradarśayet
О дважды-рождённый, прикрепив к хвостовому концу этого толстого снаряда большую горящую головню (ulkā), затем следует отпустить его; так можно показать явление, называемое «улка-пата», подобное падению огненного метеора.
Lord Agni (narrating an applied technique section to a brahmin interlocutor, within the Agni Purana’s instructional voice)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Demonstration/creation of a fiery projectile effect (ulkā-pāta) for intimidation, signaling, or staged omen-like spectacle in warfare.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ulkā-pāta-pradarśana: Tail-fastened Firebrand Projectile","lookup_keywords":["ulkā","ulkā-pāta","pucche","yantra","pradarśana"],"quick_summary":"Attach a large burning brand to the tail-end of a thick projectile/device and release it to produce a meteor-like fiery fall, useful for terror, signaling, or deception."}
Weapon Type: Projectile (yantra-launched or thrown device) with firebrand (ulkā)
Concept: Technical ingenuity (yantra + agni) can substitute for brute force by shaping perception and morale.
Application: Use controlled demonstrations to influence enemy psychology; integrate engineering with tactical timing.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Yantra-astravidya (Weapon-technique and projectile demonstrations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A technician-warrior fastens a blazing firebrand to the tail of a thick projectile; at release it streaks across the night sky like a falling meteor, startling onlookers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style night battlefield demonstration, bright stylized flame trail, figures in profile with bold outlines, torches and drums, the projectile arcing like a comet","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf flames and ornate borders, central fiery projectile with long tail, attendants and warriors watching in awe, rich reds and deep blues","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting technical scene: close depiction of fastening the ulkā at the tail, then a second vignette showing the arc and impact; clean lines, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature night scene with realistic fire glow, engineers preparing an incendiary device, the comet-like projectile crossing the sky above tents, detailed faces showing alarm"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pucchasthāṃ = puccha + sthām; kṛtvolkām = kṛtvā + ulkām; visṛjecca = visṛjet + ca; caivam = ca + evam; evamulkāpātam = evam + ulkā + pātam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda/yantra-astravidyā portions on incendiaries and mechanical devices; Agni Purana rājadharma passages on udvejana (creating alarm)
FAQs
It teaches a practical weapons/technique procedure: attach a large firebrand to the tail of a heavy projectile/device and release it to produce an ‘ulkāpāta’ (meteor-like fiery descent) visual/impact effect.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like Dhanurveda—detailing concrete, step-by-step methods for weapon effects and demonstrations, including fire-based projectile displays.
In the Purāṇic frame, disciplined application of sanctioned knowledge (vidyā) supports righteous protection and order; the verse emphasizes controlled, methodical use of fire-power rather than reckless violence.