Dhanus

Dhanus (Sanskrit: धनुष) is the word for a bow, the primary weapon used in traditional archery in the Indian subcontinent. The term appears in classical Sanskrit literature and is used across several Indian languages to denote the bow used by archers.

In Hindu myth and iconography, the bow is a symbol of skill, discipline, and dharma. Rama’s bow, known as Kodanda, and Arjuna’s Gandiva are among the best-known bows in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Bows appear in temple art and stories as instruments wielded by gods and heroic figures to uphold cosmic order.

In Indian astrology and astronomy, Dhanus refers to the zodiac sign Sagittarius (Dhanus Rasi). Represented by an archer, it is traditionally categorized as a fire sign and is associated with Jupiter as its ruler in the Indian system. The symbol emphasizes aim, expansion, and exploration.

Dhanurveda, meaning “science of archery,” is an ancient tradition and body of texts describing the techniques, equipment, and training of archery and related military arts. It covers the construction of bows and arrows, drawing technique, armor, and warfare strategies.

Today, the term survives in language and culture as a general reference to the bow, and related terms appear in education, sport, and literature. The concept of Dhanus remains a common thread in discussions of myth, astrology, and martial arts within the Indian intellectual heritage.