Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 67
अध्याय १ — यजुर्विधानम्
Agni Purana, Chapter 259: Yajur-vidhāna
धन्वा नागेति मन्त्रश् च धनुर्ग्राहनिकः परः यजीतेति तथा मन्त्रो विज्ञेयो ह्य् अभिमन्त्रणे
dhanvā nāgeti mantraś ca dhanurgrāhanikaḥ paraḥ yajīteti tathā mantro vijñeyo hy abhimantraṇe
以“dhanvā nāga …”起首之真言，是执取弓具的上妙咒式。又以“yajīta …”起首之真言，当知为作阿毗曼特罗那（abhimantraṇa，持咒加持与净化）之用。
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Recite the specified mantras at two key moments: (1) when taking up the bow (dhanur-grāhaṇa), and (2) when consecrating weapons/gear via abhimantraṇa before use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhanur-grāhaṇa mantra and Abhimantraṇa mantra for weapon consecration","lookup_keywords":["dhanvā nāga","dhanurgrāhaṇa","abhimantraṇa","archery rite","weapon consecration"],"quick_summary":"The text assigns a dedicated mantra for the act of grasping the bow and another for general consecration/empowerment, mapping mantra-viniyoga to precise martial actions."}
Weapon Type: Bow (dhanu)
Concept: Right action includes right preparation; mantra aligns mind, breath, and intent with the instrument of action.
Application: Use brief, repeatable rituals to enter a focused state before high-stakes tasks (martial or otherwise).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery mantras and weapon-consecration rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An archer ceremonially takes up a bow while reciting a mantra; a second moment shows the bow and arrows being sprinkled/empowered (abhimantraṇa) before use.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized archer with curved bow, priestly figure or the archer himself chanting, ritual water vessel and flowers, strong outlines, earthy palette, dynamic yet formal pose.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, archer in ornate attire holding bow, gold-leaf accents on bow and quiver, small altar with lamps, consecration gesture over weapons, symmetrical devotional framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: two-step panel—(1) grasping bow with mantra, (2) abhimantraṇa over bow and arrows; fine linework, minimal background, labeled implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly archer preparing, detailed bow craftsmanship, attendant holding quiver, subtle depiction of mantra recitation, refined textiles and realistic proportions."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāgeti = nāga iti; mantraś ca = mantraḥ ca; dhanurgrāhanikaḥ = dhanus-grāhanikaḥ (s → r before voiced consonant); yajīteti = yajīta iti; mantro = mantraḥ (visarga sandhi); hy = hi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana dhanurveda passages on weapon handling, consecration, and mantra-viniyoga (same khanda context)
FAQs
It specifies two functional Dhanurveda mantras: one used when physically taking up/grasping the bow (dhanur-grāhaṇa), and another used to ritually ‘charge’ or consecrate the implement through abhimantraṇa.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied military-ritual knowledge—procedural mantras linked to concrete actions (handling a weapon and consecrating it), illustrating its coverage of practical sciences like Dhanurveda alongside religious practice.
By prescribing mantras for bow-use and consecration, the text frames martial activity within ritual purity and dharmic restraint—seeking auspiciousness, protection, and the proper sanctification of action and instrument.