Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 244 — चामरादिलक्षणम् / आयुधलक्षणादि
Characteristics of the Fly-whisk and Related Royal Emblems; Weapon Characteristics
ववन्दे ऽजञ्च तन्देवा अभ्यनन्दन्त हर्षिताः तस्मात्स नन्दकः कड्गो देवोक्तो हरिरग्रहीत्
vavande 'jañca tandevā abhyanandanta harṣitāḥ tasmātsa nandakaḥ kaḍgo devokto hariragrahīt
他礼拜“不生者”（阿阇 Aja，即梵天），诸天欢喜称庆。由是此剑——为诸天所称“难陀迦”（Nandaka）——遂为诃利（Hari，毗湿奴）所执持。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Provides the divine provenance and naming authority of Viṣṇu’s sword Nandaka, supporting ritual veneration of weapons and their mythic legitimacy.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nandaka-khaḍga: divine naming and Hari’s acceptance","lookup_keywords":["Nandaka","khadga","Hari","deva-ukta","Brahma-vandana"],"quick_summary":"After bowing to Brahmā, the gods rejoice; the sword named ‘Nandaka’ by the gods is accepted by Hari, establishing its divine status and auspicious name."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-nirukti/etiology (name-giving as narrative device)
Weapon Type: Sword (khaḍga)
Concept: Power is legitimate when received with humility (vandana) and divine consent; weapons serve dharma under Hari
Application: Cultivate reverence and restraint before assuming authority or instruments of force
Khanda Section: Avataras & Vaishnava-Khanda (Mythic narrative: divine weapons and epithets of Vishnu)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine assembly where Hari receives the sword; Brahmā is saluted; devas rejoice as the sword is named Nandaka and placed in Viṣṇu’s hand.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu in regal stance receiving a sword, Brahmā seated nearby, devas with folded hands and celebratory gestures, rich reds and greens, stylized halos","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu with gold-embossed ornaments holding Nandaka, Brahmā with gold halo, devas arranged symmetrically, heavy gold work on the sword and jewelry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework on the sword and hand-gesture of acceptance, soft shading, clear depiction of the naming moment with attendant devas","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly celestial durbar scene, Viṣṇu receiving a jeweled sword, Brahmā and devas in layered composition, intricate textiles and architectural arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ववन्दे 'जम् = ववन्दे अजम्; तन्देवा = तम् देवाः; तस्मात्स = तस्मात् सः; देवोक्तो = देव-उक्तः; हरिरग्रहीत् = हरिः अग्रहीत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana weapon-origin narrative around Nandaka and astras (same sequence)
FAQs
This verse primarily conveys purāṇic ayudha-vidyā in narrative form: the divine legitimation and naming of Viṣṇu’s sword “Nandaka,” rather than a procedural ritual or medical instruction.
By cataloging divine entities, their epithets (Aja, Hari), and iconic weapons (khaḍga/Nandaka), it functions as a reference-style mythological index alongside the text’s many technical sections (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics).
It highlights devotion and divine sanction: honoring the primordial lord and the gods’ approval culminate in Hari receiving the divinely named weapon, underscoring that sacred power is grounded in reverence and divine order.