Ancient Science

SKILL OF A DHANURVEDA EXPERT IN RELEASING ARROWS

There are four types of targets for the archers to practice such as Sthira which means fixed, Chala which means moving so on and so forth. In archery three types of skilled persons exist.
1. Uttama Dhanurdhari, the best archer.
2. Madhyama dhanurdhari, Middle archer
3. Kanishtha Dhanurdhari, lower most archer.
Between the time of the sun rise and the sun set, the archer who is capable of releasing four hundred arrows accurately shooting the target is called Uttama Dhanurdhari, the one who is capable of releasing three hundred arrows Madhyama Dhanurdhari and the one with two hundred Kanishta. If an archer falls below these standards, he is not considered to be archer at all. In the standards fixed like this even if a single arrow misses the bull’s eye the archer is treated as disqualified.

SOME OF THE STUNNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

When Sri Rama began cutting down the heads of Ravana, if one head was cut, another began cropping up in its place. This process continued for a long period. At his wit’s end, Rama sought the help of Vibhishana who suggested planting an arrow in the navel centre of Ravana. Rama did as was suggested and after hitting the naval of Ravana, the arrow came back to Rama.
This is known as”Pratyagamana Marma Sthana Bhedi Bana Prayoga Vidhi.” In short it means the arrow’s coming back to its original position after hitting the target.
In the Ramayana, when Sri Hanuman was about to return to Kishkindha after finding Sita Mata under Asoka tree in Lanka, Sita Mata told him an incident occurred at the time of their vanavasa. Sri Rama released an Astra against a bird. The bird started flying to all the places to escape from getting hit by the Astra but in vain. Shaken and weaker it had to land at Sri Rama’s feet for its life. The thing that we learn from this is that an Astra once released will go after the target irrespective of the movements and places the target moves.

ASTRAS FOR IMMOBILISATION

In the war of the Ramayana, Nagapaasaastra was released against Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Both became unconscious in the battle field. Then Garuda came to their rescue and released them from the power of the Astra. In Dhanurveda some such Paasaastras are Kalapaasaastra, Varunapaasaastra, and Brahmapaasaastra. As to Dhanurveda Astras which make the enemy immobilize and faint are Maadanastra, Santaapanaastra, Vilaapanaastra, Jrimbhanaastra and Aavaranaastra. By using Divyapaasaastra one can be made unconscious and brought near to death condition.