Whether standing in the Vaiśākha or Jāta posture, or in any extended stance, the archer should first attach the string to the beloved bow. Placing the lower part of the bow at the hip and the arrowhead at the tip, the archer sets them gently on the ground, then lifts them as required. With arms bent and forearms curved, the best bow is recognized when the arrow and its feathered end fit perfectly in the hand. The distance between bow and string must be twelve finger-breadths; the string should be neither too loose nor too tight, but just right. Placing the bow at the navel and the arrow at the hip, the archer raises the hand, softly reciting the mantra at the finger and ear. The arrow is grasped at its tip with the right fist; after taking careful aim, the arm is quickly extended forward. The arrow must be neither too close nor too far, neither too high nor too low; it should not be bent, upturned, moving, or excessively twisted. It must remain straight, steady as a staff, and held so that the fist covers the target. The archer stands upright, chest forming a triangle, with the neck steady and the head bent gracefully like a peacock’s. The forehead, nose, mouth, and shoulders align like those of a horse; the space between the string and the shoulder is measured as three finger-breadths. For the first mantra, a span of one finger is observed; for the second, two fingers; for the third, again one finger, measured between chin and shoulders. The arrow is taken by its feather with thumb and forefinger, then grasped again with the ring and middle fingers. The bow is drawn with force until the arrow is fully drawn; having begun thus, the arrow is released in the proper way. With sight and fist aligned, the archer pierces the target; after release, the rear hand is swiftly thrown backward. This is known as the ‘cutting off’ technique, where the lower part of the wrist is drawn down. When releasing upward, the middle is aimed at the target; this is the best and most excellent method, known to those skilled in archery. The longest arrow measures twelve fists in length; the middle, eleven; the shortest, ten. A bow of four cubits is excellent; three and a half is the middle length; the shortest, always for foot soldiers, is three cubits. Agni spoke: "Having drawn the bow to its full extent, O twice-born, then, with flesh and mace weapons, make the bow thoroughly clean, and set it up in the sacrificial ground. Then, take up the arrow, attentive and well-concentrated, and firmly tie on the right arm-guard. Even if distracted, the arrow should be well-placed; draw the arrow from the quiver with the right hand. Hold the arrow at its center, supporting it, while the left hand secures the arm-guard; from there, draw out the bow. With unwavering mind, place the feather on the string, pressing firmly with the lion’s ear grip, ensuring both feather and string are equally tight. Rest the tip of the arrow near the left ear, holding the colored fletching with the middle and left fingers. Focusing the mind on the target, and with the proper grip, release the arrow from the right side of the body. Place the shaft at the center of the forehead, then draw and release so that the crescent mark is sixteen fingers away. After releasing, restrain the arrow again and again with the middle finger, using the torch technique. Practice shooting at eye-level targets from the quiver, and also at square targets to the right, piercing them while standing at the starting point. Therefore, practice swiftly those targets which are sharp, turned away, departed, as well as those that are low, high, and moving. At the places to be pierced, draw the bow from the quiver by the strength of the hand, and threaten even difficult targets with various displays. On the target that has been struck, O Brahmin, there are two called 'firm', two that are difficult, and two that are both varied and difficult. But neither the low nor the sharp target is counted among the firm; the low is considered difficult, as is the elevated one. In the middle of the head and body, the target is called 'varied and difficult.' Thus, having made a group of targets, practice with both right and other hand. The hero who first achieves the mark should ascend, then the next man; this is the prescribed rule, as followed by practitioners. Greater rotation is required for that target; the mark must be attached there, firmly with the feathered arrow. Whatever is spinning, moving, or very steady, the archer should strike, break, cut, or afflict it from all sides. One who knows the method and practice should act accordingly, understanding the rule; with mind, sight, and vision, the yogic archer should conquer restraint. Agni continued: One who has mastered the hand, mind, and sight, and achieves the mark with assured success, should then mount the vehicle. The noose should be ten hands in length, round, and at the end of the hand, made from cords of cotton, munja grass, hemp, and strong threads of gold or armor. For others, who are very strong, it should be well wrapped; with that, the wise should make the noose thirty times as long, well twisted.