Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 39
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
पृष्ठतो धन्विनः प्रश्चाद्धन्विनान्तुरगा रथाः रथानां कुञ्जराः पश्चाद्दातव्याः पृथिवीक्षिता
pṛṣṭhato dhanvinaḥ praścāddhanvinānturagā rathāḥ rathānāṃ kuñjarāḥ paścāddātavyāḥ pṛthivīkṣitā
في المؤخرة يُوضَع الرماة؛ وخلف الرماة تكون الفرسانُ والعربات. وخلف العربات تُوضَع الفيلة—يا أيها الملك، حامي الأرض.
Lord Agni (instructing a king/ruler as the addressee of Dhanurveda guidance)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Layered deployment order: place archers to the rear, then cavalry and chariots, with elephants behind chariots—creating depth, reserves, and shock support under royal command.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Echeloned Placement—Archers, Cavalry/Chariots, then Elephants","lookup_keywords":["pṛṣṭhataḥ","dhanvin","turaga","ratha","kuñjara"],"quick_summary":"Arrange forces in depth: archers in the rear, cavalry and chariots behind them, and elephants behind chariots—an ordered sequence for support and decisive impact."}
Weapon Type: Bow (archers), cavalry, chariots, elephants
Concept: Rājadharma as protector (pṛthivīkṣit): disciplined ordering of force to minimize disorder and secure victory with responsibility.
Application: Commanders maintain layered reserves and clear command hierarchy; kings ensure disciplined deployment rather than impulsive engagement.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science: battle-array and troop deployment)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king oversees a layered army: rear archers, then cavalry and chariots, and behind them a line of elephants; banners mark each corps in depth perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king as pṛthivīkṣit on a raised platform, stylized depth bands: archers, then horses and chariots, then elephants, bold colors and clear compartmental rows.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal king with gold ornaments, layered ranks with gilded standards, elephants richly caparisoned behind chariots, ornate border and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic depth arrangement with clear separation of corps, fine detailing of bows, horses, wheels, and elephants, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic battlefield with successive lines: archers, cavalry/chariots, elephants, king and officers giving signals, intricate detail and atmospheric perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रश्चाद्धन्विनान्तुरगा = प्रश्चात् + धन्विनाम् + तुरगाः; पश्चाद्दातव्याः = पश्चात् + दातव्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (overall vyūha-vinyāsa; roles of gaja-ratha-turaga-patti)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda deployment sequence for an army’s rear: archers first, then cavalry and chariots, with elephants positioned behind the chariots for support and shock-defense.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military science—here detailing tactical troop placement (archers, cavalry, chariots, elephants) as part of a broader manual for kings.
By prescribing disciplined, dharma-aligned conduct for rulers in warfare, it frames military action as regulated by responsibility (rajadharma), reducing reckless violence and supporting righteous governance.