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
हे द्विज, तस्य स्थूलस्य पुच्छस्थां विपुलामुल्कां कृत्वा ततः विसृजेत्; एवम् ‘उल्कापात’ इति दृश्यं प्रदर्शयेत्।
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.