Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
निमित्ते शकुने धन्ये जाते शत्रुपुरं व्रजेत् पुनर्जित्वेति ग , घ , ज च तैर् वृत्वा इति साधुः सम्भूतान्तःकोपदमिति ख , छ च पदातिनागबहुलां सेनां प्रावृषि योजयेत्
nimitte śakune dhanye jāte śatrupuraṃ vrajet punarjitveti ga , gha , ja ca tair vṛtvā iti sādhuḥ sambhūtāntaḥkopadamiti kha , cha ca padātināgabahulāṃ senāṃ prāvṛṣi yojayet
Wenn ein glückverheißendes Vogelomen (śakuna-nimitta) eintritt, soll man zur Festungstadt des Feindes marschieren; und nach dem Sieg soll man wieder zurückkehren (so lesen manche Rezensionen). Besser ist es, erst nach Auswahl und entsprechender Aufstellung der Truppen vorzurücken. In der Regenzeit soll man ein Heer einsetzen, das reich an Fußsoldaten und Elefanten ist.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework of Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Campaign-planning rule: march on enemy fort upon auspicious bird-omens; arrange/select forces appropriately; in rainy season prefer infantry- and elephant-heavy deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakuna-Guided March and Seasonal Force Composition (Prāvṛṣi Pādāti–Nāga Bahulā Senā)","lookup_keywords":["śakuna-nimitta","enemy fort march","prāvṛṣ","pādāti","nāga (elephants)"],"quick_summary":"Proceed to the enemy stronghold when auspicious bird-omens arise; array forces suitably, and in the rainy season field an army rich in infantry and elephants for terrain and mobility constraints."}
Weapon Type: Elephants (nāga) and infantry (pādāti) as emphasized arms; other arms implied by 'arraying forces'.
Concept: Right action (yātrā) is conditioned by kāla (season) and nimitta (omens); prudence lies in adapting composition and timing.
Application: Plan campaigns with a matrix: omen clearance + season/terrain; choose arms accordingly (rain: infantry/elephants).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Military omens and campaign-planning)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Fort/Stronghold (enemy)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Auspicious omen-bird appears as the army sets out toward an enemy fort; commanders arrange ranks; monsoon clouds and wet terrain show why infantry and elephants dominate the column.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: monsoon sky, omen-bird perched on banner; elephants and foot-soldiers in rhythmic procession toward a stylized fort; bold outlines and saturated greens/blues.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central king/commander with gold-leafed standard; auspicious bird above; richly adorned elephants and infantry; enemy fort in background with gilded accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical depiction of rainy-season deployment—infantry blocks and elephant files labeled; fort approach route; soft colors, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: rain-washed landscape with detailed elephants, footmen, and commanders; omen-bird in sky; distant fort with battlements; fine naturalistic rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tair → taiḥ; samartho 'smi-type visarga restoration applied where relevant; śatrupuraṃ → śatru-puram; editorial sigla (ga/gha/ja/kha/cha) treated as non-lexical indeclinables.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (śakuna and yātrā rules, adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches applied shakuna-nimitta (bird-omen interpretation) for deciding when to begin a campaign, and gives a seasonal (monsoon) guideline for force-composition—favoring infantry and elephants.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves pragmatic statecraft: omen-based decision-making, battlefield logistics, and season-specific deployment—typical of its Rajadharma/Dhanurveda-style compendious coverage.
By acting in harmony with auspicious signs and proper order (dharma-informed prudence), the ruler is portrayed as minimizing adharmic harm and securing victory through disciplined, righteous governance rather than impulsive aggression.