O Brahmin, listen as the art of martial training unfolds in vivid detail. Upon a target that has been struck, there are two targets known as 'firm', two that are difficult, and likewise two that are both varied and difficult. Among the firm targets, neither the low nor the sharp is counted; instead, the low is classified as difficult, along with the elevated target. In the middle of the head and body, the target is called 'varied and difficult'. Thus, a group of targets is arranged, to be approached with both the right and the other hand. The hero who first achieves the mark is to ascend, followed by the next man; this is the prescribed rule, observed by those who practice the discipline. Greater rotation is required for that target, and the mark should be attached firmly with a feathered arrow. Whatever spins, moves, or remains very steady, the archer must strike, break, cut, or afflict it from all sides. One who understands the method and practice should act according to the rule, conquering restraint with mind, sight, and vision—thus, the yogic archer attains mastery. Agni speaks: One who has mastered hand, mind, and sight, and who achieves the mark, attaining assured success, should then mount the vehicle. The noose, in this art, should be ten hands in length, round, and at the end of the hand, crafted from cords of cotton, munja grass, hemp, and strong threads of gold or armor. For those who are very strong, it should be well wrapped, and the wise should make the noose thirty times as long, well twisted. The teacher prepares its place in the arena. Grasping the noose with the left hand, he lifts it with the right. Forming it into a coil and spinning it once above the head, he quickly throws it onto a man clad in leather armor. Whether leaping, springing, or wandering, the proper method must be followed with skillful training. Having conquered as prescribed, the binding is performed: the noose is tied at the waist, and the sword is suspended at the left side. With a firm grip of the left, the noose is drawn out with the right; it should be six fingers in circumference and raised seven hands high. Iron rods and various armors are placed at half a hand's distance, as well as at equal, transverse, and elevated positions. Listen to the proper employment: after placing a new, sturdy shield and bow upon the body, one takes a new club in the right hand and raises it to strike firmly, ensuring the destruction of the child. Then, using both hands, the club is brought down upon him; doing this without difficulty assures success in the killing. Agni further describes: The circling, striking, leaping, plunging, running, swooping, attacking from above, descending like a hawk, and the confusion; the shaking, tossing, leftward and rightward movements, unnoticed explosions, and mighty blows of the elephant-hand; fierce descents, terrifying and dreadful, complete, half, and third parts, and lotus-shaped foot placements; backward stance, forward stance, boar stance, and twisting—these thirty-two techniques are to be known in the science of sword and shield in battle. There is turning away, turning back, the grasped, the light movement, upward throw, downward throw, holding, and restraining; the hawk's descent, elephant's drinking, and crocodile's grasp—thus, eleven types of noose techniques in battle are to be known. The straight, wide, oblique, and spinning—these five actions are described by the great ones when the noose is separated. Cutting, splitting, striking, whirling, lying down, slicing, carving, and the wheel technique—these are the actions. Stamping, hissing, splitting, frightening, swinging—these are the spear techniques, with the sixth called the blow. Striking the eyes, arms, sides, O best of twice-born; the fall with a straight-feathered arrow, and the technique of the javelin are described. The struck, cow-urine, abundant, lotus-seated, raised body, bent, left and right; turned and counter-turned, raised foot, leaping, swan's crushing, and pressing—these are the techniques of the mace. Fierce blow, biting leap, thrown hand, standing, and empty—these are specified for the axe. Striking, cutting, and pulverizing—these are the actions of the mallet, as well as leaping and striking. The exhausted, rested, cow-release, and very difficult—these are the actions of the sling and club. O best of twice-born, the final, middle, reversed, and one ending with an order—these are actions of the club and mace. Seizing, cutting, killing, forceful lifting, and extension—these are said to be the actions of the sword, along with striking down and smashing. Frightening, protecting, killing, forceful lifting, and extension—these are declared as the actions of the missile, and likewise of mechanical devices. Abandonment, biting, and the boar's tossing; carrying with one or both hands, and holding with one or both hands. Binding with both hands and arms, raising at the waist, striking the chest and forehead, and twisting the arms. Binding with both hands and arms, raising at the waist, gently embracing the limbs, and also reversing the limbs. Thus, O Brahmin, are the myriad techniques and actions taught for mastery in the science of arms, each prescribed with precision and reverence for those who seek excellence in battle.