Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 54
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
स्थूणापक्षो धनुःपक्षो द्विस्थूणो दण्ड ऊर्ध्वगः द्विगुणोन्तस्त्वतिक्रान्तपक्षो ऽन्यस्य विपर्ययः
sthūṇāpakṣo dhanuḥpakṣo dvisthūṇo daṇḍa ūrdhvagaḥ dviguṇontastvatikrāntapakṣo 'nyasya viparyayaḥ
‘స్థూణాపక్ష’ అనేది ధనుస్సు యొక్క పక్షం/చాపపు భుజం; ‘ధనుఃపక్ష’ కూడా అదే పేరుగా చెప్పబడుతుంది. ‘దండ’ ద్విస్థూణ (రెండు స్థంభాల) గలదిగా, పైకి నిలువుగా ఉంటుంది. ‘ద్విగుణ’ అంటే అంతర్భాగం రెండింతలు అయినది; ‘అతిక్రాంతపక్ష’ అంటే పక్షం పరిమితిని మించి విస్తరించినది. మరొకదానిలో అమరిక విరుద్ధంగా ఉంటుంది.
Lord Agni (teaching Dhanurvedic technical nomenclature to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardized terminology for bow construction/parts and variant limb/rod configurations used in making, selecting, and repairing bows.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Bow-part and limb-configuration nomenclature (sthūṇā-pakṣa, daṇḍa, dviguṇa, atikrānta-pakṣa)","lookup_keywords":["sthūṇā-pakṣa","dhanuḥ-pakṣa","daṇḍa","dviguṇa","atikrānta-pakṣa"],"quick_summary":"Defines named bow/rod configurations by structural features (pillared/paired supports, doubled inner portion, over-extended limb) to classify equipment and ensure correct assembly."}
Weapon Type: Bow
Concept: Lakṣaṇa (definition by distinguishing marks) as a means to preserve correct craft knowledge.
Application: Use definitional markers to avoid faulty manufacture and to communicate specifications unambiguously between teacher, artisan, and warrior.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Archery & Weapon-Science)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weapon-smith and archer examine a bow on a workbench, pointing to the limbs (pakṣa), supports (sthūṇā), and the central rod (daṇḍa), comparing normal, doubled-inner, and over-extended limb variants, plus a reversed arrangement diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, artisan and kṣatriya in profile, bow parts labeled by gesture, workshop with wooden bow staves, palm-leaf schematic of pakṣa and daṇḍa, traditional ornaments, temple-mural composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on bow and tools, seated guru instructing archer, stylized workshop setting, ornate borders, emphasis on the bow’s limbs and central rod with gleaming gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional diagram feel, bow cross-sections showing dviguṇa inner lamination and atikrānta limb extension, muted palette, precise annotations implied","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier scene with craftsmen, ruler/commander inspecting bows, realistic wood grain, multiple bow variants laid out, marginal notes aesthetic, delicate architecture backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विगुणोन्तस्त्वतिक्रान्तपक्षो → द्विगुणः अन्तः तु अतिक्रान्तपक्षः; ऽन्यस्य → अन्यस्य (अवग्रहः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on bow-making, bow types, and weapon-lakṣaṇa (same khanda, adjacent verses)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda terminology—names for bow “limbs/sides” (pakṣa), structural variants described as upright/two-pillared (dvi-sthūṇa, ūrdhvaga), doubled internally (dviguṇa), and with an over-extended limb (atikrānta-pakṣa), including the note that another variant is defined by reversal (viparyaya).
By recording precise technical definitions used in martial/archery science, the Agni Purana functions like a compendium—preserving specialist vocabulary and classification rules alongside its many other subjects (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics).
Its significance is indirect: correct technical knowledge (vidyā) supports righteous protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa) by enabling competent use and understanding of weapons, aligning martial skill with disciplined, duty-bound conduct.