Listen, O seeker, to the sacred art of archery as revealed in the ancient teachings. The postures and techniques are many, each precise and filled with purpose. First, one learns to stand firm: the Vaiśākha position is adopted when the feet are placed so that the outer toes touch, both knees are strong and steady, and the stance is set three spans apart. In the Maṇḍala stance, the knees align gracefully like the tracks of a swan and are separated by four spans. The Ālīḍha posture, shaped like a plough, is formed by keeping the right knee and thigh rigid, with a breadth of five spans. If this posture is reversed—making the left leg horizontal or the right leg straight—it becomes known as Pratyālīḍha. There is a stance where the ankles and heels are firmly grounded, the five toes extended, and the body measures twelve finger-breadths in length. In this, the left knee remains straight while the right is extended; or, if the right knee is bent, it is held motionless and curved. The leg and knee, stretched out like a staff, form the Vikaṭa posture, which extends across two arm-lengths. For the Sampuṭa posture, both feet are raised and the knees are doubled. In another stance, the feet are turned slightly outward, steady and aligned like a staff, spanning sixteen finger-breadths in length. O twice-born, in these sacred postures, one begins by offering salutation in the svastika position, bow in the left hand and arrow in the right. Whether standing in Vaiśākha, Jāta, or any extended stance, the archer next attaches the string to the beloved bow. The lower part of the bow is placed at the hip, the arrowhead at the tip, both set upon the ground and then lifted with care. With arms bent and forearms curved, the best bow is chosen—one whose arrow and feathered end fit snugly in the hand. The space between the bow and string should be twelve finger-breadths; the string must be neither slack nor overly taut, but perfectly fitted. The bow is placed at the navel, the arrow at the hip, and the hand is raised, reciting the sacred mantra at the finger and ear. The arrow is grasped at its tip with the right fist; the archer takes aim and quickly extends the arm forward. The arrow must not be too close or too distant, neither too high nor too low, nor should it be bent, upturned, moving, or twisted. It should be straight and steady, held like a staff, and the fist used to cover the target. The archer stands upright, chest forming a triangle, neck steady, and head gently bent like a peacock. The forehead, nose, mouth, and shoulders are aligned like those of a noble horse; the distance from the string to the shoulder is three finger-breadths. For the first mantra, a finger’s length is measured; for the second, two fingers; for the third, again one finger, all measured between chin and shoulders. The arrow is taken by its feather between the thumb and forefinger, then grasped again with the ring and middle fingers. The bow is drawn with force until the arrow is fully extended, and the arrow is released with proper method. With sight and fist aligned, the arrow pierces the target; the rear hand is then swiftly thrown back, a technique known as ‘cutting off,’ wherein the lower part of the wrist is drawn downward. When releasing upward, the aim is at the middle of the target, and those skilled in the science of archery know this as the best method. The longest arrow measures twelve fists, the middle eleven, and the shortest ten. An excellent bow is four cubits long; the middle, three and a half; and the shortest, for foot soldiers, is three cubits. Agni himself instructs: Having drawn the bow to its full extent, the bow must be thoroughly cleaned—using flesh and mace weapons—before being set up in the sacrificial ground. The archer, attentive and focused, ties the right arm-guard firmly. Even if distracted, the arrow must be well-placed; it is drawn from the quiver with the right hand. Holding the arrow in the middle, the archer supports it, using the left hand for the arm-guard, and from there, draws out the bow. With unwavering mind, the feather is placed on the string, pressed tightly with the lion’s ear grip. The tip of the arrow rests near the left ear, held with the middle and left fingers. The mind is fixed upon the target; with the proper grip, the arrow is released from the right side of the body. Placing the shaft at the center of the forehead, the arrow is drawn and released so the crescent mark is sixteen fingers away. After the arrow is released, the torch technique is employed, restraining it again and again with the middle finger. The archer practices shooting at eye-level targets from the quiver, and at square targets on the right, piercing them while standing at the starting point. Swiftly, the archer must train on sharp, turned-away, distant, low, high, and moving targets. Wherever a target is to be pierced, the bow is drawn from the quiver by the strength of the hand, and even the most difficult targets are threatened with skillful displays. Thus are the sacred stances and techniques of archery, O seeker, handed down with reverence and precision for those who wish to master this noble art.