250 - The science of archery

Agni said:

1-7. Then a brahminshould get ready the weapons such as the mace, bow etc., wash them well free from flesh and place them on the sacrificial ground. Then after having collected the arrow, furnishing himself with an armour and remaining composed heshould get the quiver and bind it firmly on the rightshoulder. Even though there may not be any definite aim, that arrow that has been placed in it in th at positionshould be lifted from the quiver with the right hand. Then the arrow together with the hand that be liftedshould be placed (on the bow) and held. The middle-part of the bowshould be held with the left hand. After having made his mind diverted of all anxieties, the feathered end of the arrowshould be placed on the string After holding firmly in the (position known as) simhakarna evenly with the feathered end, the fruit of the left that rested on the left earshould be borne (?) The coversshould be borne with the left middle finger. One who knows the procedureshould fix his mind on the target and (hold the arrow) with (the right) fist on the right side of the body and discharge covers.

1. The breadth of the cleached fist.

8-12. (One that practises toshoot an arrow)should place a pole as the target in line with the fold on the forehead. The circular mark (of the extent) of sixteen angulasshould be struck after pulling (the arrow). After having discharged such an arrow, oneshould then practise (discharging) fire-brands with that. Oneshould place the arrow again and again with the middle finger. Oneshould strike from the quiver at the target perceived by the eye (imagining) as a square on the right. One that is in the first stageshould practise to pierce (the target) in a square. Then heshould practise to aim quickly, turning round and to pierce that below or above. When (the targets are) at the position of being pierced the bow (should be lifted) from its position and the handsshould threaten with varied sounds of invincible (nature) (?)

13-19. O Brahmin! Ainong those (objects) to be struck (by a bow-man), two (kinds) are known to be drudha (requiring firm hand), two are known as Dushkara (difficult to hit) and two as chitradushkara (extremely dilficult to hit). That which is not below and hard is stated to be requiring firm hand. That which is below as well as that which is above is said to be dushkara. That which is between the head and the zenith is known as chitra duskara. Thus after having known the position of the objects to be hit with the right and left, a hero (archer)should first make progress. Then one would be the conqueror of the target. This is said to be the rule that has been laid by those well-versed in that. It is said that one would have more mobility from that practice. The target that comes within the purview of the arrowshould be aimed at firmly. Oneshould strike at once, break, pierce and cause distress to that which is whirling round, that which is moving and that which is extremely steady. One who is well versed in the performance of actionsshould practise this way after knowing that. One that has learnt the application would conquer (the lord of) death by means of his mind, eyes and look.

Summary of chapter 251 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

Agni introduces the Jyotiṣa (astronomy and astrology) section. The chapter describes the structure of the cosmic time-keeping system: the solar year (sāvana varṣa), lunar year (cāndra varṣa), sidereal year (nakṣatra varṣa), and the Great Year (mahā-varṣa). The positions of the twenty-seven nakṣatras on the ecliptic and their ruling deities, presiding planets, and symbolic animals are listed. Agni teaches that a thorough knowledge of Jyotiṣa is indispensable for fixing the correct timing (muhūrta) of all rites.