249 - The science of archery

Agni said:

1-5. O Brahmin! Ishall describe the science of archery 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 präsa (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 fightshould 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 südra has the right to fight in case of an emergency if he had undergone training. The people of mixed castes belonging to that countryshould 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. Itis said to be vaišākha 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 angulas). It is known as mandala if the two knees look like a row of hamsas and (the feet are) four vitastis apart. It is stated to be alidha 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 pratyalidha. If the left leg would be curved and the right would be straight and the two calves and the legs remain fifteen angulas apart, the posture would be (known as) jäta (on the whole) extending to twelve angulas. If the left knce 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 vikata 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 vikata. The feet are a little turned round, firm and equal to four cubits. It is properly seen to extend to sixteen angulus. O Brahmin! With this posture (known as) svastika oneshould first bow down holding the bow by the left hand and the arrow by the right hand. 

20-29. One that loves his bowshould remain in the (postures) vaišākha 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 arrowshould be fixed on the ground. 0 One practising good austerities! itshould be raised with the hands by ineans of the curved fore-arms. That bow and arrow of a person is excellent which has a space of twelve inches between the bow and the feathered part of the arrow. The string sirould be made neither too long nor tooshort. Holding the bow (in line) with the navel and the quiver on the back, the bowshould be raised with the left hand between the eye and the car. The arrowshould be taken with the right tist to the edge of the breast. (Then the string)should be put on and quickly drawn to its full capacity. (Itshould not be stretched so much as to be) within or beyond or above or below or curbed or raised orshaking or extremely obstructed. Itshould 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 theshape of a triangle, theshoulders stooping, the neck without motion, and the head poised erect as a peacock. The space between the fore head, nosc, face,shoulder and the elbowshould be equal. The space between the chin andshoulder is known to be three angulas. 

30-37. The interval between the chin andshoulder is said to be three angulas in the first, two angulas in the second and one angulas in the third (kind of bow)1 After having taken the fea thered end of an arrow with the thumb and the index finger and then with the ring and middle (finger of the right hand), itshould be drawn fully such that the arrow gets completely stretched. After having begun in this way, the arrowshould be released in the proper manner. O Man of good conduct! The target that has been seen by the eyes) and covered by the fistshould be split with the arrow. After releasing (the arrow) the left handshould be thrown back quickly. O Brahmin! It is known as excision. Itshould be known by you. An expert in the archeryshould 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 mushtis¹, the mediocre of eleven mushtis and the inferior one of ten mustis. 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.