Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 10
पाण्डवचरितवर्णनम्
The Account of the Pāṇḍavas
युधिष्ठिराय स भ्रात्रे पालकाय नृणान्तदा तद्धनुस्तानि चास्त्राणि स रथस्ते च वाजिनः
yudhiṣṭhirāya sa bhrātre pālakāya nṛṇāntadā taddhanustāni cāstrāṇi sa rathaste ca vājinaḥ
तदा स भ्रात्रे युधिष्ठिराय नृपालकाय तद्धनुः तानि चास्त्राणि स रथः ते च वाजिनः समर्पिताः।
Lord Agni (narrating puranic/itihasa material to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Model for royal transfer/assignment of war-gear and regalia to the rightful ruler; informs protocols of armory custody and succession logistics.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Royal war-gear assigned to Yudhishthira","lookup_keywords":["Yudhishthira palaka","dhanus","astra","ratha","vaji"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates the core components of kshatriya sovereignty—bow, weapons, chariot, horses—formally assigned to the king as protector."}
Weapon Type: Bow and associated astras; chariot warfare equipment
Concept: Kingship (palakatva) is supported by proper instruments of protection; power is to be held as duty, not indulgence.
Application: In governance, ensure lawful custody and accountable deployment of force; treat military assets as public trust.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Narrative (Mahabharata episode) / Rajadharma-Context (Kingship, gifts, war-gear)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal bestowal/assignment scene: bow and weapons presented, chariot and horses readied for King Yudhishthira.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ceremonial court: attendants hold a great bow and quiver; a decorated ratha with caparisoned horses; Yudhishthira seated as palaka; stylized ornaments and lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold embossing on the bow, weapon rack, and chariot canopy; richly adorned horses; king receiving regalia with haloed dignity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of each item labeled visually—bow, astras, chariot, horses—arranged as an instructional tableau in a palace courtyard.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed harnesses and textiles; court officials presenting arms; perspective on the chariot and stable; refined faces and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत् + धनुः → तद्धनुः; च + अस्त्राणि → चास्त्राणि; रथः + ते → रथस्ते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda chapters on weapons, chariots, horses; Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on king as protector (palaka)
FAQs
It conveys Dhanurveda-oriented royal logistics: the formal allotment of bow (dhanuḥ), weapon-systems (astrāṇi), chariot (ratha), and horses (vājinaḥ) to a king, reflecting how martial resources are organized for rulership.
By embedding itihāsa material with concrete martial and administrative details (weapons, chariotry, cavalry), the text functions as a compendium that preserves not only theology but also practical categories of statecraft and warfare.
By calling Yudhiṣṭhira a “protector of men” (nṛṇāṃ pālaka), the verse frames martial equipment as instruments of dharmic protection—implying that power and arms gain merit when used for guardianship rather than aggression.