Chapter 249 - The science of archery (dhanurveda)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1-5. O Brahmin! I shall describe the science of archery [i.e., dhanurveda] in four sections. It is said to be of five kinds resting on the warriors on chariots, elephant, cavalry and infantry. It is said to be of five kinds such as those projected by a machine, thrown by the hand, those cast (by hands) and retained, those permanently retained (in the hand) and boxing. (The weapons) are said to be of two kinds—ordinary weapons and missiles. They are again stated to be of two kinds by the divisions (such as) curved and conceit. (The weapons projected) by means of a sling or bow or other such contrivances are said to be projected by a machine. Stones and weapons such as the iron clubs are stated to be (weapons) thrown by the hand. (Weapons) such as the prāsa (dart) would be known as (the weapons) cast and retained. Swords and other (weapons) are those permanently retained. Personal combat without weapons (is the last one).

6-8. After surmounting the difficulties, (the king) desiring to fight should engage fit men (for the purpose). Battles (fought) with the bows (and arrows) are excellent, those with darts are mediocre, those with swords are inferior and those fought with hands are still inferior to them. A brahmin is said to be the preceptor in archery for two castes. A śūdra has the right to fight in case of an emergency if he had undergone training. The people of mixed castes belonging to that country should render assistance to the king in the battle.

9-19. If the thumbs, calves, palms and feet are kept closely pressed against each other, the position (is said to be) samapada from its characteristic feature. It is said to be vaiśākha if one stands on the outer toes and the two knees are held in a straight and motionless posture and the distance (between the two soles) is three vitastis (twelve aṅgulas). It is known as maṇḍala if the two knees look like a row of haṃsas and (the feet are) four vitastis apart. It is stated to be ālīḍha when the right thigh and knee are held motionless and (appear) like the plough and are five vitastis apart. If the same is changed (to the left) it is known to be pratyālīḍha. If the left leg would be curved and the right would be straight and the two calves and the legs remain fifteen aṅgulas apart, the posture would be (known as) jāta (on the whole) extending to twelve aṅgulas. If the left knee would be straight and the right knee extended well or the right knee is curved and motionless and the feet together with the knee are four cubits apart, it is said to be vikaṭa extending to two cubits. If the knees (are kept down) twice (as much) and the two legs are raised, that posture is said to be vikaṭa. The feet are a little turned round, firm and equal to four cubits. It is properly seen to extend to sixteen aṅgulas. O Brahmin! With this posture (known as) svastika one should first bow down holding the bow by the left hand and the arrow by the right hand.

20-29. One that loves his bow should remain in the (postures) vaiśākha or jāta or firm or extended and put the string on the bow. The lower tip of the bow and the striking part of the arrow should be fixed on the ground. O One practising good austerities! it should be raised with the hands by means of the curved fore-arms. That bow and arrow of a person is excellent which a space of twelve inches between the bow and the feathered part of the arrow. The string should be made neither too long nor too short. Holding the bow (in line) with the navel and the quiver on the back, the bow should be raised with the left hand between the eye and the ear. The arrow should be taken with the right fist to the edge of the breast. (Then the string) should be put on and quickly drawn to its full capacity. (It should not be stretched so much as to be) within or beyond or above or below or curbed or raised or shaking or extremely obstructed. It should be parallel, firm and straight like a rod. After having covered the mark with the right fist, the archer (should stand) with his chest raised and bent in the shape of a triangle, the shoulders stooping, the neck without motion, and the head poised erect as a peacock. The space between the fore head,_nose, face, shoulder and the elbow should be equal. The space between the chin and shoulder is known to be three aṅgulas.

30-37. The interval between the chin and shoulder is said to be three aṅgulas in the first, two aṅgulas in the second and one aṅgulas in the third (kind ofbow)l After having taken the feathered end of an arrow with the thumb and the index finger and then with the ring and middle (finger of the right hand), it should be drawn fully such that the arrow gets completely stretched. After having begun in this way, the arrow should be released in the proper manner. O Man of good conduct! The target that has been seen (by the eyes) and covered by the fist should be split with the arrow. After releasing (the arrow) the left hand should be thrown back quickly. O Brahmin! It is known as excision. It should be known by you. An expert in the archery should keep the elbow down while drawing (an arrow), above while releasing and be in line with the target in the middle (state). Those who are well-versed in (the science of) archery know it as the excellent. The superior kind of arrow is known to be twelve muṣṭis^[1], the mediocre of eleven muṣṭis and the inferior one of ten muṣṭis. A bow of four cubits is excellent, that of three and a half cubits is mediocre and that of three cubits is said to be inferior always by the infantry men. The same is said to be excellent in (the case of) cavalry, chariot and elephant.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The breadth of the clenched fist.