Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 15
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
तेषां पुत्राश् च पौत्राश् च बलान्यष्टौ समाश्रिताः भद्रो मन्दो मृगश् चैव गजः संकीर्ण एव च
teṣāṃ putrāś ca pautrāś ca balānyaṣṭau samāśritāḥ bhadro mando mṛgaś caiva gajaḥ saṃkīrṇa eva ca
ومنهم ينشأ (كأنما) «أبناؤهم» و«أحفادهم»—وتُستمد ثماني فئات من تشكيلات القتال: بهادرا، وماندا، ومِرْغا، وغَجا، وكذلك سانكيرنا (التشكيل المختلط).
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Classifying and selecting battlefield formations (vyuha/bala-bheda) for deployment according to terrain, troop-mix, and objective.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Aṣṭa-bala (Eight classes of army formations)","lookup_keywords":["bala-bheda","vyuha","bhadra","manda","gaja"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates derived classes of military formations; used as a taxonomy for arranging troops and choosing an appropriate vyūha for battle conditions."}
Concept: Systematization of practical knowledge (bala-vyavasthā) as a means to victory and protection of polity.
Application: Use structured classifications to reduce confusion in high-stakes action (battlefield command and logistics).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science) — Bala (Army Divisions) Classification
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield overview showing commanders arranging troops into named formations—compact ‘Bhadra’, slow/steady ‘Manda’, swift ‘Mṛga’, elephant-centered ‘Gaja’, and a mixed ‘Saṅkīrṇa’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, stylized warriors and elephants, commander pointing to ground-marked grids of vyūhas labeled bhadra, manda, mṛga, gaja, saṅkīrṇa; temple-mural composition, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on armor and standards, central commander with halo-like aura of authority, elephants richly caparisoned, formations arranged symmetrically with gilded banners naming vyūhas.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework and soft shading, instructional diagram-like battlefield with clear troop blocks and captions for each formation, emphasis on clarity and pedagogy.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed camp and battlefield panorama, labeled troop formations, elephants and cavalry in precise ranks, commanders in jeweled attire consulting a plan."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्राश्→पुत्राः; पौत्राश्→पौत्राः; बलान्यष्टौ→बलानि अष्टौ; मृगश्→मृगः; चैव→च एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 268 (Dhanurveda: bala/vyūha-prakaraṇa)
FAQs
This verse imparts Dhanurveda knowledge: the taxonomy of bala (army) formations (vyūhas), naming key arrays such as Bhadra, Manda, Mṛga, Gaja, and Saṅkīrṇa (mixed), indicating a systematic military doctrine.
By cataloging formal battlefield formations as a structured set (with derived ‘sons’ and ‘grandsons’), it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving technical statecraft and warfare science alongside ritual and dharma.
Within Rajadharma, disciplined and dharma-aligned governance includes protecting society; knowing proper military organization supports righteous defense and order, which is treated as a king’s meritorious duty when exercised without adharma.