Adhyaya 248
Chapter 248: धनुर्वेदः (Dhanurveda — Science of War and Archery Discipline)
火神阿耆尼开启《弓术论》（Dhanurveda），将战争之学界定为“具四足”的体系，即依四军种而立：战车、象军、马军与步兵；又按吠陀教学法称其为“五分”，以武器运用之法分为：发射之投射物、手掷之兵器、设置后释放之装置、非发射类兵器，以及徒手/近身格斗。继而以成对分类精炼其义：śastra 与 astra（兵刃与飞射之器），以及正面之法与幻术诡计之法（māyā），并举出机括发射（yantra-mukta）与手发（pāṇi-mukta）等代表。章节由分类转入修习规程：以护具成就备战，分级演练（以弓与矛为中心），并说明传授的社会秩序（婆罗门为刹帝利/吠舍之师；首陀罗亦可凭训练与辅佐国王之役而得其分）。技术核心详述站姿与尺度（samapada、vaiśākha、maṇḍala、ālīḍha、pratyālīḍha、vikaṭa、sampuṭa），以及射箭程序：礼敬、上弦时的安全余地、弓置于脐/髋之位、目与耳成一直线的瞄准、手指扣箭、开弓放矢之机理、收势与成绩评定。并规定箭与弓的标准尺寸，将原则推广至骑射、车战与象战，显示武艺乃受达摩（法）统摄之修行。
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Frequently Asked Questions
Precise operational metrics and biomechanics: stance geometry and spacing (vitasti/aṅgula-based), bow brace/clearance set to twelve aṅgulas, standardized bow and arrow lengths (3–4 hasta bows; 10–12 muṣṭi arrows), and a procedural aiming line maintained between the eye and the ear.
It frames martial skill as dharma-sādhana: disciplined posture, restraint, correct measure, and role-based duty (service to the king and protection of order) convert warfare-knowledge into a regulated vidyā aligned with righteous conduct rather than mere violence.