DHANURVEDA(AVedarelatingtotheArt/ScienceofArchery)B.Chakravarti,ATARN,2001DHANURVEDA from the BRHAT SARNGADHARA PADDHATI, a 15thCentury treatease in Sanskrit on 'The Science of the Horn Bow' bySarngadhara. Translated from the Sanskrit edition by Peter Peterson,Bombay,1888.This translation was commissioned by ATARN from Dr. B. Chakravarti,M.A., Ph. D. Member of the Asiatic Society (Executive Council), Kolkata,(20002001), CharterMember, Smithsonian National Museum of theAmerican Indian, Washington DC. President, Bangala BhasaSamskrtiSamsad,Kolkata.Copyrightreserved.The paragraph numbers commencing '1714' in the text correspond tothoseintheSanskrittext.TheFirstInstructor1714

I have composed this work in brief by extracting the excellentutterances of God (Lord Siva) found in hisDhanurveda (theVedarelating to the science of Archery andwise instructions of (Sage)Vyasa. 1715 Nobody but Sarngadhara is considered to be an expert in theknowledgeoftheDhanurveda,becausehegothisskill(inholding,aiming and shooting etc.) and judgment (for wind velocity andspeedofthemovingtargetetc.) inadreamatnightfromtheLordSivaHimself.

1716 So,oneshouldnotharbouranydoubtaboutthisbook(becauseithasbeenrevealedinadream)justbecausesomeofitscontentsappearelsewhere in other works by other, more clever archers likeCintamani(viz.ViraCintamani). 1717 Archers (and warriors) should practise and sharpen their skill(weapontraining)insuchawaythattheyareabletoperformtheirdutiesandconquertheenemy. 1718 Ifjustonefamousarcherstaysinacity,thentheenemieswillremainatadistancejustasanimalsstayfarawayfromthedenofalion. 1719 Now,theprinciplesofselectionofthetraineesforweapontrainingwillbediscussed.AfterexaminingtheTrainee(disciple)thoroughly,thepreceptorwillgiveabowtoaBrahmindisciple,whoisnotgreedy,cunning,ungratefulorfoolish. 1720 Hewillgiveadhanu(meaningabow)toaBrahmindisciple,akhadga(meaninga sword) to aKsatriya, a Kunta (meaninga lance) to aVaisyaandaGada(meaningamace)toaSudra. 1721 Fightingwith hands (Bahuyuddha) has its seven divisions. These arecarried outwith a bow (dhanu) or a circularmissile (cakra) or alance (kunta) or a sword (khadga) or a knife (churika) andmace(gada)andlastlybyfightingwiththebarehandsonly. 1722 Apreceptorisknownbythenamesaptayuddhaifheiswellversedin

sevenformsoffighting;apreceptorisa Bhargavabynamewhenheiswellversedinfourtypesoffighting.Anexpertintwoformsoffightingisknownasyodhaandifoneisversedinonlyonetypeoffighting,oneisknownasGanaka. 1723 PeoplebornwhentheMoonisintheConstellationofHasta,Punarvasu,Pusya,Rohini,Uttara(inthreepositions),Anuradha,Asvini,Revatiandalsoonthetenthdaysof theMoonDasamiarefit forArcheryTraining. 1724 People born in the third, sixth, seventh, tenth or eleventh day of thelunar fortnight are supposed to be fit for conducting all types ofwork. 1725 Thethird, fifth,seventh, tenth, twelfthandthirteenthdayofthe lunarfortnightareacceptedtobeauspicious. 1726 Sundays, Fridays and Thursdays are taken to be very suitable forstartinganyworkrelatingtoweapons(i.e.weapontraining). 1727 On these days the preceptor, following the rules of the Vedas, willarrangeofferingofoblationsandconductsacrificesandofferingstoDeities and Heroes, and gifts to the learned and the poor.Thereafterheoffersweaponstohisdisciples. 1728 A feast should be arranged for the Brahmanas as well as for themaidens. The ascetics and other devotees of Lord Siva are to beworshipped,withsinceredevotion. 1729

AtraineeofArcheryistoworshiphistrainer(preceptor)offeringhimfood, drinks, dress and ornaments along with scented thingsflowersandgarlands. 1730 Thetraineewillobservea fastandwearingonlyadeerskin,willprayforthebowfromhispreceptorfoldinghishands. 1731 ThenfollowingtheutterancesofSiva,thepreceptorshouldsanctifythelimbs of his disciple, putting his hands on them, by utteringappropriatemantrasandshouldperformotherritualsforremovingtheobstaclesandsinsofhisdisciple. 1732 TheLord(Siva)willberituallyimaginedtohavebeenplaceduponthetopknotofthediscipleshairatthecrown,LordKesavawillbesoplacedonthejointofthetwoarms,BrahmainthenavelandGanesaonhisthighs. 1733 ByutteringthemantraOmHomLordSankarawillbeworshippedonthetopknotatthecrown.OnthearmsKesavawillbeinvoked,withthesimilarmantraandBrahmawillbeprayedtointhenavel,andon the two thighs the protection of Lord Ganesawill be invoked,chantingthefollowingwordsateachplacerespectively: Om Hom Sikha Sthane Sankaraya namah,Om Hom Vahvoh Kesavaya

namah,Om Hom Nabhimadhye Brahmane namah,Om HomJanghayor Ganapataye namah1734Such placement (of theguardian deities) on the limbs should be done in order to derivewelfareandwellbeingofthediscipleandtopreventanyonefromdoingharm(tohim)bychantinginauspiciousmantras.1735

Thepreceptorshouldofferabowandarrowstothedisciplewhicharefittobeusedbyahumanbeingandthearrowsshouldbesanctified

with mantras and the teacher would pass the mantra from onearrowtotheotheraccordingtotherulesofVedas. The targets during the training (from easier to more difficultones)1736 Firstofallanarchershouldlearnhowtopierceaflowerwithaleafbutwithout any fruit, and then hewill pierce a leaf with a fruit, andthenafish. 1737 Then the preceptor will make his disciple pierce an animal(mansavedha).Thesearethethreetypesofpiercing.Bypractisingshooting of arrows gradually at targets in such manner the herowill achieve the skill to pierce his targets more effectively andefficiently. 1738 The archer will be happy by taking his position ahead of a runninganimal,atthesametimeaimingtopiercetheanimal.Heisateaseinsuchapositionandheachievessuccess. 1739 Ifthearrowiscastinthesoutherndirection,therewillbegreatquarrelandthearcherwillgotoa foreignland. If it iscast inthewesterndirection,thearcherwillgetwealthandcereals.Ifthearrowiscasttothenortherndirectiontheherowillgetgoodresults. 1740 Ifthearrowiscasttothenortheasternquarter(lsan),thedownfalloftheenemywillensue.Ifitiscastintheoppositedirection,differenttypes of auspicious happeningsmay take place. In such activitieswith weapons, a hero will achieve happiness, nourishment andsuccessinweapontraining. 1741

Thethreetypesofpiercingshouldbedoneaccompaniedbythesoundof a conchshell and drum, and then the hero should entrust hisbow and arrow to his preceptor by bowing down to him andofferinghisobeisance. TheMeasurementofBow1742 Thefirstformofbowisaserviceableorpropertype.Thesecondoneisa bow which is used in fighting (battle). A bow which is lesspowerfulinweightandlengththanthearmsoftheheroisregardedasanauspiciousone. 1743 The life of an archer ismore precious than that of a bow.An archer,whoisoverburdenedbyhisbow,neverhitsthetarget. 1744 A bow which can be drawn by an archer with ease (by his ownstrength)isconsideredtobeauspicious.ThebowsoftheGodsareheavierandsuperiortothoseofthehumanbeings. 1745 Abowmeasuringfivecubitsandahalfisconsideredtobethebestoneandthattypeiscalledadivineone,andthatwasheldbySankarainancientdays. 1746 ThenthebowwastakenbyParasuramaandfromhimitcametoDronaand then itwas received by Partha fromDrona, and thereafter itwastakenbySatyaki. 1747 Duringgoldenage(satyayuga)thatdivinebowwasheldbyMahadeva.In the silver age (treta yuga) it was held by Raghava. During thebronze age (dvapara yuga) it was taken by Drona, who was aBrahmanabycaste.

1748 Thelengthofahandisequaltothelengthoftwentyfourfingersofthehandandabowmeasuresfoursuchhandlengths(caturhasta)andthis type is known to be thebowof a humanbeingwith all goodsigns. 1749 Abowmayhavethree,fiveorsevenjoints.Abowhavingninejointsisrenownedbythenamekodanda,whichtrulyisanauspiciousone. 1750 A bow having four, six or even eight joints should be discarded. Butthere are some bows which are more extended in size and aremadebyanewtechnique. 1751 A bow should not be used if it is extremely old, or made of unripematerials,orusedbyoneskinsmen,orburnt,tornorspoiledinsideoroutside. 1752 A bowwithout a string, or a bow inwhich the string is not suitablyfitted,oranarrowwithafaultoranarrowinwhichtherearejointsontheupperormiddleorlowerportionshouldnotbeused. 1753 A bow made of unripe materials may break up. A bow in a verydilapidatedconditionlosesitssmoothness.Abowalreadyusedbyoneskinsmenmayalwaysbeanobjectofanxietyordisputeamongfriendsandrelatives. 1754 Aburnt bow causes a house to burn, and a bowhavingholes alwaysbringsdefeatanddestructioninwar.Suchabowdoesnotreachthe

target,externalorinternal. 1755 Ifaninferiortypeofarrowisfittedtoabow,itmaybringdefeatinwar.Moreover,ifsuchanarcherisbeingattacked,hecannotshootbackeffectively. 1756 A joint on the upper portion of a bowor even one on its lower side,causes destruction and loss ofwealth. Bowswithout such defectsareconsideredtobeveryeffectiveforalltypesofactivities. 1757 ThebowofVishnu isnamed Sarngadhanuand it isconsidered tobethe best weapon. It was a bow, the measurement of which wasseven times greater than an ordinary bow which is made byViswakarma. 1758 That bow remained untouched by anybody in Heaven, in the NetherRegion or on Earth. It could only be used by the one (DivineEmancipatedBeing)whoistheLordofLords. 1760 Gradually,overmanyyears,HecreatedandextendedthebowwhichisfittobeusedbyhumanbeingsItmeasuressixandahalfvitasti(i.e.thespanof thethumbandthemiddle fingerwhenstretchedfully,roughlymeasuringhalfacubit) i.e. total threeandahalfcubits inlength.Thebowservesallpurposes. 1580 ASarngabowissuccessfullyusedbythesoldiersonelephantbackandthecavalry.Forcharioteersandfootsoldiers,however,abowmadeofBambooismoreuseful. Thecharacteristicsofabowstring1761

Ishallnarratethecharacteristicsofthebowstring,andthesearetobeappliedwhilemakinga string.Very light silken threadsshouldbeused. 1762 Thestringsshouldbemadeofthreeroundthreadswhicharefreefromany joinst,pure, fine, very soft andpolished so that these threadscanwithstandattackinawar. 1763 Forwantofsilkthread,stringcanbemadewithintestinesofadeerorwiththeintestinesofashebuffalooracow. 1764 Fine strings are to bemadewith skin of a goat or gokarna (anothervarietyofanimal)whichhasjustbeenslaughtered.Thehairontheskinshouldberemovedthoroughly. 1765 Sometimes stringsarepreparedwith thebark (outer skin)ofmaturebamboos(plants)andthosestringsaretiedwithsilkenthreadsformakingstringsthatwithstandstandadversesituationsinwar. 1766 AttheadventofthemonthofBhadra(September)thebarkoftheArkatreebecomescommendableformakingstringsandhencehardandsacredstringsshouldbemadewithit. 1767 The threadswhich are obtained from the barks of the Arka tree areeighteencubitsinlengthandtheseshouldbemadeintripleplytomakeaproperstring(forthebow). Thecharacteristicsofarrows1768 IshallnarratetheauspiciouscharacteristicsofArrows.

Arrowsshouldneitherbeveryheavynorveryfine.Theyshouldnotbemade of unripe materials which are grown on barren land. Anarrow with small joints or having splits should be avoided.Thematerialforanarrowshouldbeselectedthus1769 The arrow should havematured joints, it should bemade with fullyripe materials, the colour of the arrow is to be brownish andgatheredattherighttime.Thematerialshouldbehardandround.Thetreefromwhichthearrowistobemadeshouldgrowonfertileland.[Suchanarrowiscommendablefortheuseofakinginbattle.] 1770 Thesizeofthearrowshouldbetwocubitslessonefistinlengthanditsbreadthwillbelikethelittlefinger.Thisisthemeasurementofanarrow which is to be placed on the bow for drawing anddischargingtowardsthetarget. 1771 Theendofanarrowmaybefletchedwiththefeathersofcrane(kanka),swan (Hamsa), sasada (A variety of bird), fisher bird (matsyada),heron (kraunca), cataka (kinkini), vulture (grdhra) and hen(kukkuta). 1772 Four feathersaretobeattachedtoeacharrow.Thegapbetweentwofeathersshouldbesixfingers. 1773 Inthebow(Dhanu)namedSarnga,thegapbetweentwofeathersistobe of ten fingers and the four feathers should be firmly tiedwithhardthreadsmadefromintestines. 1774 There are three types of arrows masculine, feminine, and neuter.Arrows which are flat and heavy in front are designated as

feminine, If flat and heavy in its lower portion it is termed asmasculine. 1775 If the topportion and the lowestportionof the arrow is of the samesize, it isknownas neuter.Suchanarrowis fit forpractising(bytraineesetc.)The femalearrowhits a target at adistancewhile amalearrowcanfirmlypiercetoughtargets. Thecharacteristicsofthetiporarrowhead1776 The arrowhead should bemade of pure iron. It should be sharp andpointed andwithout any sort of disorder. The head of the arrowshould be painted with a coating of diamond protective pasteaccording to the proportion of the feathers (vajrameans hard asdiamond). 1777 Theheadortipportionofanarrowmaybemadeofbrassanditsshapewillbelikethatofahorseshoe;oritmaybelikethetailofacoworitmayoftheshapeofahalfmoon.AnarrowiscalledBhalla(i.e.amissile)whenitsheadisassharpasthetipofaneedle,andagainitis known as Dvibhallakam (.i.e., double missile) when there aretwotipsliketheteethofaheifer. 1778 The arrowhead may be shaped in different forms according to theexisting system of a country, such as Karnikam or kakatundametc.. 1779 Bythearrows(madeofbrassorpurified iron)skinshouldbepierce;byrazorbladearrows,theenemysarrows(andhishands)maybesevered,andbyneedlepointedarrowsashieldorarmourmaybepierced,andanarrowheadshapedlikehalfamoonshouldbeusedtosevertheheadoftheenemy.

1780 A spearheaded arrow may pierce the chest of the enemy, while adoublespearedarrowmaypiercethestringofhisbowandcounterhis (enemys) arrows. Arrowsmade of ironmay be countered bythearrowsknownasKarnika,andothertargetsmaybepiercedbyarrowsintheshapeofthebeakofacrow.ThetypeofarrownamedGopucchaisusedforaimingat(andtearingoff)theenemyflag. 1781 Ifanarrowismadeofpurewoodit isknownbythenamegopuccha(meaning the tail of a cow). The tip of such an arrow ismade ofpointedironmeasuringthreefingers. Themethodsofannealingarrowheads1782 I shall narrate the process of annealing arrowheads. The followingdivinemedicineistobespreadontotheheadofthearrowsothatitcanpierceanunbreakablearmourjustlikealeafofatree. 1783 Longpepper(pippali)andsulpher(kustha)androcksalt (saindhava)should be ground by mixing urine of a cow while pounding, toprepareapaste.Thatpaste shouldbe rubbedon theweaponandthenitshouldbeheatedonfire. 1784 Thepaste for annealing should not be very cold. If the arrow fails topierceanything(i.e.hitthetarget)orifthearrowheadisonefromwhich theyellowcolourhas faded, thepasteshouldbeapplied tothetipandheatedthereafter,andthentheheadofthearrowheadshould be dipped in oil to remove the heat to make it especiallyeffective. 1785 Five typesofsaltshouldbegroundtogetherandthatcompound is to

be soaked in honey and paste of white corn (sveta sasya). Thearrowheadistobecoveredwithsuchapasteandthenheatedoverafire. 1786 Thearrowhead is tobeannealed,andafterheating, its colourwillbelike that of the neck of a peacock, i.e. a yellow colour when hot.Then it should be dipped into clear water for its permanentprotectionandstrength. Nowthetwotypesofroundsviz.Naracasi.e.allironroundsandNalika,knownasroundsshotfromthegun(arebeingdescribed)1787 Naracaisaroundtotallymadeofiron.Insomenaracas,therearefivebroadwings and such rounds are always effective (in hitting thetargets). 1788 Nalikaisaformofround,shotfromaweaponlikethegunfittedwithtube or barrel; it is used while a target is to be hit at a greatdistance,orinawartakingplaceinahighfort. Hand position for drawing an arrow and position for releasing anarrow.1789 Sthana (the posture to be taken by a warrior while shooting), haseight forms, for performing different types of shooting and theholdingandoperationof thetriggerorarrowsby mustimeaninggriphasfiveforms,whilethescoringareasofatargetor vyayasarealsooffivetypes. ThePosition(Sthanas):1790 If the left leg of an archer is stretched in front and the right leg iscontracted at the knee and their distance measures two handlengths (cubits), suchpostureof the archer is knownby the termAlidham. 1791

By stretching the right leg forward and contracting the left leg, thearrowgoesfaronrelease.Thisfootpositionofthearcheristhoughttobeveryspecial(orpraiseworthy)andisknownasPratyalidham. 1792 If the archer extends his legs equally and their distance is one cubitapart,heassumesthepositionknownasvisakhasthana,apositionforshootingadifficulttarget. 1793 Iftheplaceonwhichthearcherstandsisnottoouneven,hislegsaretobeplaced at equal distance (for keepingbalance)withoutmakinganymovement, and fixing them in an uniformposition. The bodyshouldbemadebenttotheleftatleastonecubitdown. 1794 Ifthearcherkneelsdownandhisthighsarecontracted,hispositionisknownbythenameDardurakramam,meaningthemovementofthe frog. This is a position by which an archer is sure to hit adifficulttarget. 1795 The stanceormovement of an archer is compared to that ofGaruda.When hemoves forward by touching his left knee on the groundandthenhecontractshisrightknee,andthisiscalledthe GarudaKramanposition. 1796 Awellknownpositionofsitting(crosslegged),knownaspadmasana,isveryauspiciousforanarcher. Releaseandshootingofarrowsbyawarrior.1797 Therearevariousformsofrelease,madebythearcherbyfoldinghisfingers to securehisarrowandshoot from thebowstring suchaspataka,vajramusti,Simhakarna,MatsariandKakatundietc.

1798 Iftheforefingerisextendedandbroughtundertherootofthethumb,thepositionofthegripisknownbythenamepataka.Thisformofthe grip is then applied by a shooter for shooting (rounds) at adistanttarget. 1799 If the thumb enters the gap between the middle finger and theforefingerthensuchareleaseiscalledvajramusti.Suchreleaseisusedwhenathickarrowandallironroundsknownasnaracasareshottowardsthetarget. 1800 If the tipof the forefinger isplacedsquarelyon thenailof the thumbfinger, thensucharelease isknownbythename matsari.Suchareleaseisusedtopierceafineorthintargetknownascitra. 1801 Areleaseisknownbythenamekakatundi(thefaceorthemouthofacrow) if the top portion of the thumb is placed on the tip of theforefinger.Sucharelease is tobeusedwhenanarchershootshisarrowintoathicktarget. Methodsofholdingthebowanaimingthearrow1802 There are three methods of holding a bow and aiming an arrow,namely(i)downwards;(ii)upwardsand(iii)straight.Amongthesethree methods, the archer adopts the particular one which issuitabletoservehispurpose. 1803 Thearrowaimeddownwardscaneasilyhitatargetatafardistance.Iftheaimisstraight,itwillcertainlypiercethetargetandiftheaimisupwards, then by applying greater strength, the archer willinvariablypiercehistarget.

DescriptionoftheVyayah(typeofscoresonhittingthetarget)1804 If an arrow hits on the root of a target (i.e. outer ends), the score isknown by the name kaisika. If it hits the horn of the target (i.e.magpie)itisknownbythenamesattvikah.Ifithitstheearofthetarget(i.e.innerportion)itisknownbythenamevatsakarnaandif it hits the neck of the target (i.e. bullseye) it is known by thenameBharata. 1805 If an arrow hits the shoulder of the target (at a great distance), thescoreforshootingofsuchanarrowisknownbythenameskandha.Vyayas are of five varieties. In case of a mixed warfare (citrayuddha),arrows(shotbeingquickandmany)hit theouterendofthetarget(i.e.kaisika)mostly,whilethearrowshitthehornwhenaimeddownwardstohitthetarget. 1806 Ifthetargetispiercedontheear(innerpartofthetarget),thescoreisknownas, vatsakarna.If itpiercesthetargetdeeplyandfirmly, itisknownasBharata(bullseye)andifitispiercesthetargetatagreatdistancedeeplyandfirmlytheprocessisknownbythenameskandha. Targetsandtheirvarieties:1807 Targetscanbeoffourvarieties(1)Sthiri.e.fixedorstationerytarget(2) Cala i.e. moving target (3) A moving archer shooting at astationary target (4)Dvayacala where the archer aswell as thetargetbotharemoving. 1808 Thearcherwhoaimsatthetargetbymakinghismindmotionlessandsteadyandpiercesthethreetypesoftargetsisknownbythetermsthiravedhimeaninganarcherwhoseaimneverfails. 1809

If an archer, while motionless himself, successfully pierces a movingtarget the preceptor as well as the wise call (such personcalavedhi) and the target by the name calalaksya meaning amovingtarget. 1810 Ifanarcher isonthemovebut fixeshismindonasteadytargetthenthe targetwill be known by the name calacalameaning movingyet steady. This is a process of shooting which is blameless andbeyondordinarymeasure. 1811 When an archer is on the move himself and also aims at a movingtarget, then the target (and situation) is known by the namedvayacalameaning twomoving elements (the archer aswell asthetarget).Topiercesuchtargetsonehastopractiseveryhard. 1812 If an archer practises archery hard, he can unfailingly hit a distanttarget with his arrow, and with one arrow he can pierce manytargets. Through hard practice an archer achieves firm grip andabilitytoaimandshootarrowsquickly. 1813 Undergoing hard labour, an archer realises the art and techniques ofdifferenttypesofwarfare,andthroughitheachievesvictory.Hence,anarchershouldalwayspractiseshootinginfrontofhisteacher. 1814 Anarcher,whobegins to practise the shooting of arrowwithhis lefthand,willbecomesuccessfulintheartofshootinginnotime. 1815 When success comeswith the left hand, the trialwith the right handshould start. In the course of time, the archer should practise

shootingarrowsaswellasroundswithboththehands. 1816 When proficiency (in shooting) is achievedwith the right hand, thenagain exercise should be started with the left hand. An archershouldpractise in the standingposition (keeping the feet parallelandonecubitapartfromeachother)namedVisakhaandaimingattherootofthetargeti.e.kaisikavyaya. 1817 At sunrise, the target should be shot in thewestern direction. In theafternoonthetargetshouldbeshotintheeasterndirectionsoastoachieveabetteraimatthetarget. 1818 Arrowsshouldbeshottowardsthenorth,buttheyshouldnotshotforthe purpose of destroying life. Arrows should not be dischargedsouthwardsexceptintimesofwar. 1819 Atargetsetatadistanceof sixtybowlengths is regardedas thebestone. If the same is set at a distance of forty bowlengths, it isregardedasamediumone,whereasatargetatadistanceoftwentybowlengthsisregardedasthelowesttype. Adiscussiononaimingandshootingofprojectiles:1820 This is a description of rounds or projectiles named naraca. Thenaracasareshotinnumbersofforty,thirtyorsixteenatatime,topiercethetarget. 1821 Onewhoshootsfourhundredshotsnamedkandabetweentheperiodofsunriseandthesunse,isconsideredasthebestamongarchers. 1822

Ifthenumberofrounds(thenaracas)shotduringthistimeperiodisthreehundred,theshooterisknownasmediocre;butiftherearejust two hundred, then the shooter of the rounds is known to bekanisthaka;i.e.ofthelowestcategoryorstandard.Archerstargetsshould be of aman length (threeandahalf cubits or 6 feet) andfittedwithsignsofacrescentmoon. 1823 One who shoots the top portion of such a target is known to be asuperior shot, while one who pierces the belly of the target isknown as a mediocre one, whereas one who hits the feet of thetargetisknownasaninferiorshot. Intermissions(anadhyaya)inlearningshooting1824 Asallactivitiesareprohibitedontheeighthandthefourteenthdayofthelunarhalfmonthandalsoonthedayofthenewmoonandonthe day of the full moon, shooting practice is also prohibited onthosedays. 1825 Practiceshootingshouldbestopped if there isanuntimelyroaringofclouds, or there is stormy weather or if the target is broken ordestroyedbyarrowsorroundsshotearlier. 1826 Thepractiseofshootingshouldbeabandonedifanarrowisbrokenattheverystartofpracticing,orifaserpentisseenattheplacewherepracticeistakingplace. 1827 Ifthebowstringsnapsattheverystartofshootinganarrowfromthebow, then thepractice shouldbeabandoned,while takingnoteofthe(inauspicious)obstacle. 1828

I amgoing tonarratea toughexercise in shootingpracticewhich thepureheartedarchershouldperform;andonlybyknowingthiscanarchersbecomesuccessful,andnototherwise. 1829 Whentakingupthebow,anarchershouldtiehistopknotand,takingupafirmstance,heshouldplacehishandonthearrow. 1830 Thebowshouldbepickedupinthelefthand(assessingitsweightandbalance) and the arrow should be nocked onto it thereafter bypickingupthearrowwiththerighthand. 1831 ThearchershoulddrawthebowandwithoneattemptpiercetheearthandthenbowdowntoLordSivaandGanesa,theguardiandeityofobstacles. YogaBreathcontrolinshooting1832 Atthetimeofdrawingthebow,theconsentofthepreceptorshouldbeprayed for.At the timeofdrawingthebow, lifegivingbreathalsoshouldbeinhaled(tofillupthelungs)carefully. 1833 Breathshouldbeconservedbyclosingtheeyesandnose(kumbhaka),andthebreathshouldbereleasedwiththesoundhum.Anarcherwho desires success in his art should practise such breathingexercises(Pranayama). 1834 Thetechniqueofthegripcanbesuccessfullyachievedthroughexercisewithinsixmonths,andthetechniqueofsuccessfulaimingtakesoneyear.The learningof theshootingprojectiles, naraca, isachievedbyanarcheronlythroughthegraceofLordMaheshwara. 1835

Inordertobecomesuccessful inarchery,onemusthold(andhandle)his arrows very gently and carefully, like a flower, and press thebow like killing a serpent. The archers attention to piercing thetarget should be as (undivided and undistracted) as in earningmoney. 1836 A preceptor expects that his disciples shooting will be effective andefficient. The descendants of the Bhrgu clan (like Parasurama)desirethatthearrowofthediscipleshouldhitthetargetatagreatdistance.Akingdesiresaspectaculardisplayofhittingtargets(byhis guards and soldiers), while the common people just wanttargetstobepiercedwell. 1837 Iftheshootingofanarrowisconductedforentertainment(asagameof archery) or welfare of the people, then even if the target ispiercedjustmarginally,itwillbeapraiseworthyaction. 1838 Thearchershouldtakethepositionknownasvisakha(standingwiththefeetapart)whilenockinghisarrownamedgopucchaontothebowstringwithagripliketheearofaLion(simhakarna). 1839 Whileperforming kaisikavyayathetopknotofanarchershouldnotmove, and he should shoot the arrow. keeping both his right andleftshouldersmotionless. 1840 At the time of shooting an arrow, the eyes of the archer should notmove:hisaimshouldbeattentivelyfixedonthetarget.Theviewofthe target should be covered by the fist and his eyes should gazeaheadofthearrow. 1841

Realisingthatthemindfollowsthelineofthegaze,thearrow(kanda)shouldbeshottothetargetuponwhichthegazeisfixed.Anarcherwhoundertakesregularandhardpracticenevermisseshistarget. 1842 An archer who can bring his arrow from the quiver, nock it to thebowstring,drawbackthestring,aim,andshootit(thearrow)veryquickly becomes a "quick shooter" on account of his constantpractice. 1843 Whenanarcherhastoshothisarrowatadistanttarget(durapatanam),heshouldassumethepositionof pratyalidhaandaima femininetype of arrow downwards, drawing it with the grip known aspatakamusti. 1844 Ifarrowshavetobeshotupwards(urdhapatanam),thearchershouldtaketheposeofafrogandfromthestanceof askandhavyaha,heshouldfixamalearrow,holdingitinatightgripi.e.vajramusti.Ifonepractises this regularly, he increases the strengthof his armsandwillbecomesuccessfulinpiercingtoughtargets. 1845 Wisemenennumeratethreetypesofpropermotionsofthearrows,viz.(i)suchimukha(meaningflyingstraightlikethetipoftheneedle)(ii) minapuccha(fishtailing)and(iii) bhramari(movingallovertheplacelikeabumblebee). 1846 Thetrajectoryofanarrowiscalledsucimukhawhenitisunfletchedofhasverylittlefletching. 1847 Ifthebowishard,thenthegripofthearcherisnotverytight,andthe

arrow may follow a trajectory known as matsyapuccha (fishtailing). 1848 Ifthearrowwhenaimedatthetargetdoesnottravelinastraightline,but approaches it in a toandfro or semi circular manner, suchmovement iscalled Bhramariby the learned. [Ifanarrow,aimedatthetargetdoesnottravelstraightbutreachesitinacurvesuchatrajectoryiscalledBhramari.] Deflectionofarrows1849 Therearefourdifferentcauseswhichdeflectamovingarrowfromitstrajectory before reaching the target. These are (i) vamaga(deflection to the left) (ii) daksaga (deflection to the right) (iii)urdhaga(overshootingthetarget)and(iv)adhaga(fallingshort). 1850 If the rear of the arrows vibrates against the inside of the grip(gunamusti)and thebow isheld ina levelgrip (dhanumusti), thefrontofthearrowwillveertotheleft.[Hencethegripofthearrowshouldbefirmsothatthearrowmaynottrembleanddeflectfromthetarget.] 1851 If anarcherdoesnothold thearrowproperlyandaim it straight,hisarrowwillundoubtedlygoeithertoonesideorshortofthetarget. 1852 Ifthearchersgriponthebowisabovethelinetotargetandthearrowisnockedbelowthe line to the target, thearrowwillgoupwards.Anarrowreleased fromsuchapositionwillundoubtedlyveer farawayfromthetarget. 1853 Whileshootinganarrow,thegriponthebow(capamusthi)shouldbe

belowcentreandthearrowshouldbenocked(gunamusthi)abovecentre,pointingslightlydownwards. 1854 The right time to release an arrow iswhen the target, the tip of thearrowandthegazeofthearcherareinline.Insuchasituationthearcherneverbecomesunsuccessfulinhittingthetarget;thatis,thearcher should cover the target with correct Dhanumusti andGunamusti(hisgripofbowandarrow)inordertopierceit. Thecorrecttrajectoryofarrows1855 Ifthetargetandtipatthearrowarealigned,andtheeyeaimwithoutanywavering, an arrow shot from such a triple alignment cannotmissthetarget.[Thiscallsforarcherscalmnessofmindandstrongdetermination.] 1856 Anarrowwhichissharpenedwellatthetipandisfittedwithfeathersofabirdanddischargedfromafirmgripwithforce,cannotremaininthebodyofahumanbeingoranelephantorahorse.[Itpiercesbut does not remain in their bodies because it passes rightthrough.] Attitudesofanarcher1857 An archer, who thinks his arrows are (light) like grass, his bows(consuming) likeburning fuel and thebowstring (attractive) likehislife,isconsideredtobeabestarcher. Descriptionofthefourtoughtargets1858 Ifanarchercanpenetrate the following four typesof (tough) targets,namely, thosemadeofearthenpotora lumpofearth,hisarrowscannotbe(countered)destroyedevenbyathunderbolt. 1859 Ironplatesmeasuringthethicknessofoneandahalffingersshouldbe

prepared (as targets for exercise). An archer who pierces suchplateswithasinglearrowisknownbythedesignationofDrdhghatiatoughmarksman(marksmanoftoughtargets). 1860 Anarcherwhocanpenetratetwentyfourlayersofleatherwithasinglearrowcanpierceeventheskinofapowerfulelephant. 1861 Anarcher,who canhit an earthen jar inwhirlingwateror a lumpofearththroughacirculatingwheel(placedbelowit)heisknownbythenamedrdhavedhimeaningatoughmarksman. 1862 A target made of iron can be pierced by arrows named kakatunda(beakof the crow)and targetsof leather (like shieldsor armour)canbepiercedbyarrowsnamed aramukha(a lumpofearth).Anearthenjarora lumpofearthmaybehit throughamoving(disc)wheelbyanarrownamedsuchimukha. 1863 Onewhoknowshowtocounterandcutanarrow,andonewhoknowshow to pierce a piece of wood, or one who knows how to scorepoints in a shooting range (Vinduka i.e. Chandmari) andonewhocanpiercetworoundballs(golakayuga)atatime,alwaysbecomesvictorious. 1864 When a target (animal) charges towards an archer, he should aim tosplit the arrowwhich has already pierced the front of the animal(target).Heshouldholdsomearrowscurvedinhisgrip.Heshouldsevertheheadoftheanimal(orenemy)withanarrowwithasemicirculartiporanarrowhavingtwotips. 1865

If an arrow coming straight forward obliquely cuts another arrow inthe sky, then the archer displaying such a skill is known asVanacchedimeaningonewhocutsanarrowintheair. After describing the cutting of arrows, the cutting of wood isdiscussed:1866 If an archer fixes horsehair to a piece of wood and also he binds acowryshell there (asa target)while spinning thewood, ifhehitsthistarget,heisknownasDhanurdhara,meaningarealarcher. 1867 AnarcherisknownbythenameKasthacettameaningapieceofwoodifhecanpierceapieceofwetwoodplacedinthepositionofatailofa cow by an arrow known by the name ksurapra meaning anarrowwithasharphorseshoeshapedhead. 1868 Ifawhitepointisplacedonthetargetbyattachingawhitevandhukaflower,anarcherwhoisabletohitthatpointiscalledacitrayodhi. Aimingatmovingtargets:1869 If two wooden balls are thrown from in front upwards to a greatdistance, they cannot be penetrated by an arrow which followsfrombehind;butifthearrowsticksintotheballbehindlikeatail,or it hits but does not get attached there, the archer is called amarksman(ofmovingtargets). *Thefollowingverserelatestotheearlierverse18691870* Anarcherwhocanattachtwoarrowsatatimeandpierceshistarget(thetwowoodenballs)isconsideredasthebestofallarchersandisworshipped,(i.e.honoured)bythekings. 1871 Irrespectiveofwhetheranarcher ridesonanelephant,orahorseormoves on foot, if hepractiseswhilemoving, is sure to succeed in

piercinghistarget. Shootingthetargetfromits/sound/resonance1872 Potsmadeofbellmetalshouldbekeptatadistanceoftwocubitsfromthe target. Another person should produce sounds by hitting potwithpebbles(sarkara). 1873 An archer should assess the distance of the source from which thesoundiscomingbyconcentratingattentivelyandbyusinghisears,andshouldlocatethetargetandpenetrateit. Repeatedexerciseformarksmanship1874 Anarchershouldagaincause thesound tobeproduced frompotsbyhittingthemagainwithpebblesandshouldagainlocateandaimtopiercethetargetneartheoriginofthatsound. 1875 Thearchermayincreasehisdistancefromthetargetgraduallyfrom10cubits to 20 cubits and then to 100 cubits and should practise indarknesspiercingthetargetfromthesoundemittedbyit. 1876 An extremely intelligent archer with earnest attention can pierce atarget with his arrow. Such a difficult task is performed by anarcheronaccountofhisgoodluck. Exercisewithweapons1877 As longasanarcher fails toachievesuccess,heshouldpracticehard.Whenanarcherslabourmakeshimamarksman,heneedsnottakehisbowinhandduringrainydays. 1878 Anarchershouldalwayspractisewithhisweaponsfortwomonthsinthe autumn so that he may not forget the art of weapons he

acquired earlier. [Themonths of August and September comprisetheseasonofAutumninIndia.] 1879 InthemonthofAsvin(whenthehorsesareyokedtothecarriage)andduring the divine ninth lunar day of the fortnight, Lord Siva,Goddess Candi, the Preceptor, weapons and horses should beworshipped. 1880 Daksina (offerings ofmoney) should be given to the Brahmanes andthe maidens should be given good feasts. Animals should besacrificed along with the sound of auspicious instrumenst (likeconch,gongandcymbals)andchantofmusicinhonourofGoddessDurga (and thus the archerhimself shouldpray for victory to theGoddessofWar). 1881 Then the archer (after performing rituals as above) should practiserecitalsofVedichymnsaccordingtotherulesoftheVedasaswellasAgama(vedoktanagamoditan).Forsuccessintheartofshootinghis weapons and arrows, an archer should intone japas andperform sacrifices (homas) according to te scriptural laws(vidhanatah). Devastatingweaponsfromelements(likewaterandair)1882 AnarchershouldstriveforweaponsnamedNarayana,Saiva,Aindra,vayavya,varunaandtheagneya(producinggreatfire)whichthepreceptorsgiveoutattheirdiscretion. 1883 An archerwho is pure in heartmasters hisweapons by applying hismind(tounderstandtheprinciplesofgrip,aimandrelease),word(enquiryfromhispreceptor)andactivehands(forpractice).Hecankillwithhisweaponsamanwhoisunworthyandunable(to live)

andwhoisevil. 1884 A man who knows how and when to apply (use or withhold) hisweapons is knownas an archeror amusketeer.Awise archerormusketeerdoesnotusehisarmsinaneverydaysituation. 1885 An archer, who takes the stem langali (jalapippali) plant when themoon is in theHastaconstellationanduse itssaponhisweaponseasilyremovestheprideofanygreatherointhebattle. 1886 Bytakingtherootofanapamarga(apang)plantatsunrisewhenthereisyoganaksatra(inthesky)andbyanointingitsjuiceonhandandweapons,aherogainsthepowertowardoffhisenemiesarrows. 1887&1888 Bytattooingonthehand(asatalisman)orbyapplyingthesapofthefollowing plants onto his arms, a hero can ward off pain fromenemy weapons: adhapuspi, samkhapuspi, lajjalu, girikarnika,nalini, sahadeva, putramarjarika, visnukranta and aparajitaand other plants with matted fibre. This matted fibre should betaken on a Sunday in a clean and pure state as instructed by thepreceptor. (Medicinal plants, mystic chants and precious crystalsandstonesarefortheuseofman;butthereasonoftheirpotencyandtheiroriginisbeyondtheempiricalscientificthroughwhichwetrytograspthings.) 1889 A hero does not have anything to fear snakes, tigers and similarapparentlydangerouscreatures,becausehisbodyisblessedbytheeightGoddesses(TheGoddessesarethepresidingdeitiesofvariouselements of nature, viz. Brahmi, Mahesvari, Indrani, Varahi,Vaisnavi,Kaumari,CamundaandCandika.).

1890 By the influence of the powder obtained from chuchundari plantduring the rise of Hastanaksatra on a Sunday, even an elephantdoesnotdaretocomeinfrontofthewarrior. 1891 If the chuchundari plant and powder extracted from the blossom ofthe vilva treeareanointedon thebodyofawarrior, thenevenamad elephant sheds its wanton strength and a lion gives up itsfierceness,justseeinghimfromadistance. 1892 Therootofthewhitekarnikatree(svetadrikarika)canremovedustonhis hands and similarly the root of the white kantarika(svetakantarika)removesaherosfearoftigersetc. 1893 TherootofthePataliandPusparkaplantsshouldbedugup,andifkeptinthemouthofthewarrioralongwithbetelnutpowder,hisbodycannotbepiercedbysharparrowsinthebattlefield. 1894 If theendof the rootof the gandha (campaka) tree is collectedonaSundayaccordingtoscripturalrules,whenthemoonisinthePusyaconstellation,andputinsidehismouth,thewarriorgetsimmunityfromweaponsoftheenemywhichcannotenterhisbodyorseverit. 1895 ByfastingonaSundaywhenthemoonisinthePusyaconstellation,ifthe warrior collects the matted part of subhra sarapumkha orjatanili andplaces theseonhisbreast,heador inside themouth,these remove or ward off incoming arrows or weapons of theenemy.Kings,whentheybecomeverymuchafraidofthievesetc.inordertowardofftheirfear,obtainthehelpofsuchplantscollected

onsuchaSunday(pusyabhaskara). DosandDontsduringtheoperationofwar1896 Anarchershould first takeabathand thendress inwhite.Heshouldworship the Deities and the Brahmanas while chantingauspiciousmantrasandmusic. 1897 AnarchermustgiveofferingsinthenameofKingandtothepresidingdeities of the ten quarters. He is to worship all his weapons andintonemantrasforhisprotectionasfollows 1898 "Om;O,Goddess,kindlyprotectuswithYourspear;OMotherAmbika,kindlyprotectusbyYoursword,protectusbytheringingofYourbell and by the sound of the bowstring from other dangers anddifficulties. 1899 "OCandikaOGoddess,kindlyprotectusontheeast,west,southandnorthaswellbybrandishingYoursword. 1900 "Kindly protect us by Your calm and pleasant looks, which pervadethroughout the threeworlds, and also by Yourmost fearful form.Kindlyprotectusandtheworldatlarge. 1901 "O,AmbikawiththehelpofYourweaponssword,spearandmacewhichareinyourhand:kindlyprotectusallineveryway." 1902 The warrior should anoint his body with divine ointments andmedicines and protect his body by wearing different talismans.After taking a little bhattvaka drink, the archer should start

practisingforbattle. 1903 A warrior should please his Generals and the superior fighters onelephantsandotherchiefsofhisarmywithgiftsofpreciousitemsandclothes. 1904 Afterplacinganeffectivecharioteeronthechariot,thewarriorhimselfshould get into it (the chariot) and he should yoke only thosehorsestothechariotwhicharehealthy,wellnourishedandcapableofdoinghardmaneuvers. 1905 Awarriorshouldkeepfourbowsinthechariotasaprecautionagainstall misfortunes, and he should keep four hundred arrows in hisquiver. 1906 Heshouldalsoplace in the chariot a sword (khadga), shield (carma),mace (gada), spear (sakti), parigha (a type of weapon), hammer(mudgara), projectiles (naraca), axes (parasu), lance (kunta),pattisa(atypeofweapon)andardi(atypeofweapon)etc.. 1907 Onewhodoesnothavea chariotorelephant,will rideonhorseback,fixingaquiveronhisvestbeltandtakingasword,sakti(spear)andbowinhand. 1908 After keeping Lord Visnu in mind, the name of Arjuna should beintonedbythewarrior.Thereafter,heshouldestablishhispositionalongwithhisfourtypesoftroops(namelytheelephantriders,thecavalry,thecharioteersandtheinfantry). 1909

ThewarriorsinwhoseheartLordJanardana,whosecolourisbluelikethe blue lotus, resides, become successful and victoriouseverywhereandtheyneverfeardefeat. 1910 These are the names of Arjuna, which the warrior should intone:.Arjuna,Phalguni,Partha,Kiriti,Vivatsu,Vijayi,Krsna,SavyasaciandDhananjaya. How to calculate the number of different arms in a formation calledAkshouhini1911 Thecharioteerswearingshieldsshouldnumber21,870(bycomputingthe legends) sky (0),Tunes (svara)(7),Vasu (8), Indu (moon) (1),andnetra(eyes)(2).[ThedigitsinSanskritarecountedfromrighttolefthence21,870].AccordingtoscholarswhoarewellversedinMathematics, the number of chariots and charioteers putting anarmour in an aksauhini amount to Twentyone thousand eighthundred; thekingsareseventy innumberadded to thismake thefigure(21800+70=21870). 1912 Thenumber ofwarriors on elephant has also beendetermined to bethe same that is (21870) twentyone thousand eight hundredseventyinanaksauhini.Thishasbeenspeciallydirected. 1913 The number of infantry soldiers is one Lakh (ten thousand) ninethousandthreehundredandfifty(19,350) inan aksauhini (allofthemareequippedwithweapons). 1914 Thenumberofcavalrysoldiersremainsfiftysixthousandsixhundredand ten (56,610) as stated by scholars who are very effective incounting. 1915

Themathematiciansdecided thenumberof soldiers in a troop calledmahaksauhiniastwosky(2),flourish(sagaras)(4),fourvedas(4),one moon, (1) two eyes (2) one fire, one moon, 1, i.e. 244,121(Twentyfourlacs,fortyonethousandtwohundredandone. 1916 Inmahaksauhinikathenumberofsoldiersarethirteencrorestwentyonelacs,twentyfourthousandsandninehundred.132,124,900. 1917 The numbers of chariots in a mahaksauhinika is one crorewhich isstated by scholars. But some scholarswho differ in opinion statethatthenumberwillbethirtysevenlacs.(3,700,000). 1918 In such a troop the number of elephants should be twelve thousandfourhundredninety.(12,490). 1919 Insuchatroopthenumberofhorses(cavalry)shouldbe fourcrores,elevenlacs,seventythreethousandandfourhundred(41,173,400). 1920 The number infantry soldiers (patya) in mahaakshauhini will be(68,000,075)sixcrores,eightylacsandseventyfive. 1921 Sixtytwo thousand four hundred and fifty is the number of theformationknownbythescholarsasmahaksauhinika. 1922 Thetechniqueofmakingaformation(vyuha)inabattleisasfollowsthe charioteers should be placed in front, behind them theelephants,theinfantryatitsbackandthecavalryshouldbeplacedtoeachside.

1923 The formation of the soldiersmay be planned in the shape of a halfmoon,orasacircleoracarriage,afish,alotus,orsimplybymakingrowsorintheshapeofabush. 1924 TheKingshouldkeeparoundhimforhisprotectionthoseprinceswhohave received the status of feudal lordsor subordinateKings andalsoallotherattendantswhoare loyalandhaveaptitudetoservetheKing. 1925 Themainormostimportantpersonofafamilymustbeprotectedatallcosts.Whenthechiefofafamilyperishes,asaresultofthelossofthe root of the dynasty, all the soldiers loose their strength anddeterminationtofight. 1926 The quality of men behind the weapons determines the battle morethan their number. Even a small number of persons imbuedwiththe traits of heroism, trained in arms and loyal to the king, willserve (the King and the country) better than a large assembly ofpeople(withoutloyalty,courageanddeterminationtowinthewar)whowillbeineffective(mundamandali). 1927 Even fivehundredheroescandefeata largearmy.Sometimeseven iffive, six of seven such heroes fight bravely, they may defeat theenemy. 1928 War veteranswho havewith them their holy bows, which had beentheirmeansforlivelihood,canbringvictoryeveniftheforwardlineofthekingwiththeirhorsesisnotverystrong.

1929 Archers who are close comrades and know battlecraft may beatenemiesfightingthemonhorseback. 1930 Butasinglecowardlyarcherwhobreaksrankscandestroythepowerofa largenumber.Eventhemostheroicandgreatest fighterswillsufferabreakdownofmorale(theywilldesertwithsuchacowardintheirmidstandfacedefeat). 1931 Astrongandinsuperablebattalionmayrunawayandcourtdefeat,justlike animals who are afraid of surging floodwater (if a cowardbreaksranks.) 1932 Aherowhocanregroupfleeingsoldiers,returntocombatandrouttheenemywillreceivetheeternalfruitofthesacrificeofAsvamedhaateverystep. 1933 InthisworldtherearetwotypesofhumanbeingswhocanascendtoHeaven(penetratingtheorboftheSun):oneistheasceticwhohasextirpatedhissenseandknowledgethroughperformingYogaandprofoundmeditation.Theotherisaherowhodiesinhandtohandcombat. 1934 If aherodies surroundedbyhis enemies,withoututteringaword infear,itissurethathewillreachthateternalsphere(Heaven). 1935 (Enemy) heroes who faint, or are wounded, or whose weapons arebroken, or who are fighting with another warrior, or who are

askingforasylumorrefuge,shouldnotbekilled. 1936 Amightywarriorshouldnotchaseaweakfighterwhoisrunningaway,because a warrior who apprehends death may suddenly becomeaggressiveandbrave. 1937 An emperor should organize his army comprising four arms(caturanga, i.e. the charioteers, soldiers mounted on elephant,cavalry and infantry) into a formation (vyuha) to encircle theenemyanddeployvaliantheroesinfrontofitifhewantstobecomevictoriousinwar. 1938 The happiness and morale of the troops are the factors whichcontributetothevictory,irrespectiveofthesizeofthearmy,smallorlarge. 1939 Aherowhoproceedswiththewind,byleavingtheSunbehindaswellasthebirdsandthefloatingclouds,surelybecomesvictorious. 1940 Oneshouldnotdieprematurely;norshouldoneliveafteronestimeisup.Henceoneshouldexercisepatienceandkilltheenemies(ofthekingandthecountry). 1941 Inwar, ifoneachievesvictory,onegainswealt, Ifonedies,onegetsaplace in Heaven and earns fame in this world. Hence one shouldexercisepatienceandkillonesenemies..This is the teaching of Lord Vvyasa who has revealed theSivadhanurveda.