Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 68
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
द्वौ दण्डौ बलयः प्रोक्तो कान्तश् च खातकः दुर्जयश् चतुर्वलयः शत्रोर्बलविमर्दनः
dvau daṇḍau balayaḥ prokto kāntaś ca khātakaḥ durjayaś caturvalayaḥ śatrorbalavimardanaḥ
具两杖之兵器名为“Balaya”；同类亦有称“Kānta”与“Khātaka”者。具四环之型名为“Durjaya”，能摧碎敌之兵力。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Identification and classification of combat equipment by structural features (two-rod, four-ring) and their battlefield role (enemy-force crushing).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Daṇḍa/valaya weapon types: Balaya, Kānta, Khātaka, Durjaya","lookup_keywords":["balaya","kānta","khātaka","durjaya","catur-valaya"],"quick_summary":"Weapons are classified by construction: a two-rod type is called Balaya (and related types Kānta and Khātaka). A four-ringed type is called Durjaya, famed for crushing enemy strength."}
Weapon Type: Staff/rod-based weapon with rings (valaya) and multi-rod construction
Concept: Nāma-rūpa taxonomy: naming tools by form and function to standardize knowledge
Application: Armory cataloging and procurement: specify weapon build (two-rod vs four-ring) and intended tactical use.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: weapons, armor, and combat equipment)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An armory display showing a two-rod weapon labeled Balaya and a four-ringed weapon labeled Durjaya, with warriors demonstrating their crushing strikes against shields or a practice dummy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, weapon rack with stylized ringed staff, warrior in dynamic pose demonstrating a strike, bold outlines, labels suggested on hanging cloth tags.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate armory scene with gold-leaf on rings and fittings, central Durjaya weapon emphasized, attendants holding Balaya/Kānta/Khātaka types.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration feel: clean depiction of weapon parts (two rods, four rings), side vignette of correct handling stance, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed armory courtyard, craftsmen and soldiers examining ringed weapons, demonstration strike scene with intricate metalwork rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कान्तश् = कान्तः; दुर्जयश् = दुर्जयः; शत्रोर्बलविमर्दनः = शत्रोः बलविमर्दनः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: weapon-nāma lists and daṇḍa-bheda discussions (same khanda, nearby verses)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda nomenclature: how specific weapon-types are identified by construction features (two rods, four rings/hoops) and their functional epithet (subduing an enemy’s strength).
By cataloging specialized military terms (proper names and design-based descriptors), it preserves a technical glossary of warfare equipment alongside the Purana’s many other knowledge domains.
While primarily technical, it frames warfare knowledge as regulated vidyā—systematizing force under dharma by defining legitimate implements and their intended battlefield function (defeating hostile strength).