Although late, the Dhanur Vedic text in Agni Puranaprovides us with
an important record of the earlier technical system of martial practice that
influenced many of today’s martial arts, especially Kerala’s kalarippayattu.
The four Dhanur Veda chapters in Agni Purana appear to be an edited ver-
sion of one or more earlier manuals briefly covering a wide range of tech-
niques and instructions for the king who must prepare for war by training
his soldiers in arms. Like the purana as a whole, the Dhanur Veda chapters
provide both sacred knowledge (paravidya) and profane knowledge (apar-
avidya) of the subject. The text catalogues five training divisions for war
(chariots, elephants, horseback, infantry, and wrestling) and five types of
weapons to be learned (projected by machine [arrows or missiles], thrown
by the hands [spears], cast by hands yet retained [noose], permanently held
in the hands [sword], and the hands themselves) (249: 1–5). Either a Brah-
man or a Kshatriya “should be engaged to teach and drill soldiers in the art
and tactics of the Dhanurveda” because it is their birthright. A Sudra may
be called upon to take up arms when necessary if he has “acquired a gen-
eral proficiency in the art of warfare by regular training and practice,” and
“people of mixed castes” might also be called upon if needed by the king
(249: 6–8) (Dutt Shastri 1967, 894–895).
Written Texts: India 751Nineteenth-century illustration of the Mahabharata:combat with archers and swords with four people, Paithan
school, gouache on paper. (Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Art Resource, NY)