The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.370

v1.c10.370

**Attitude in drawing the bow :** Of the different attitudes which were assumed in using the bow, the *Agni Purāṇa* gives the following description : "The *Sampadasaṃsthāna* attitude in shooting, is the standing with the feet even, the two great toes, ankles, and heels being closely opposite each other ; and the position of standing with the feet three spans apart. Laying the centre of gravity on the toes, and keeping the knees unbent, is the *vaiśākha* posture. The attitude in which both the knees appear like a flock of geese, and in which the archer stands with the feet four spans asunder, is called *maṇḍala* ; and the *abdha* posture is said to be that, in which the right thigh and knee are kept unbent, and in which the feet are placed five spans apart, assuming the shape of a plough. The contrary of the above is called the [121] *pratyahdha* attitude. The *jala* attitude is that in which the left leg should be kept in a crooked position, the lelt heel at a distance of five fingers from the ankle of the right foot, and the knees twelve fingers apart from each other. The *daṇḍāyata* posture is of this description ; the left knee straight, and the right advanced or as little bent, and firmly fixed ; but when this attitude is such that the knees are two cubits distant from each other, it is called *vikaṭa*. The *sampaṭa* attitude is said to be the bending the knee double, and keeping the feet raised from the ground (except the forepart ), or standing with the legs straight as stick, and the feet sixteen fingers apart from each other".¹⁹⁸