Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
देवाज्ञावृंहितो राजा सन्नद्धः समरं प्रति इन्द्रजालं प्रवक्ष्यामि इन्द्रं कालेन दर्शयेत्
devājñāvṛṃhito rājā sannaddhaḥ samaraṃ prati indrajālaṃ pravakṣyāmi indraṃ kālena darśayet
Der König, durch den Befehl der Götter gestärkt und zum Kampf gerüstet, schreitet der Schlacht entgegen. Nun werde ich das Indrajāla (die Kunst der Kriegsillusion) darlegen; zur rechten Zeit soll Indra sichtbar gemacht werden.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, continuing the encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Indrajāla (war-illusion) techniques to influence perception on the battlefield, including staged ‘divine epiphany’ to inspire allies and terrify foes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Indrajāla in War: Timed Display of Indra","lookup_keywords":["indrajāla","indra-darśana","daivājñā","sannaddha-rājā","samara"],"quick_summary":"A king, empowered by divine sanction and fully armed, may employ indrajāla—illusionary stratagems—timing a visible ‘Indra’ manifestation to sway morale and outcomes."}
Concept: Kāla (right timing) and daiva (divine sanction) amplify human effort; perception can be engineered as part of righteous strategy.
Application: Leaders coordinate ritual-symbolic displays with tactical moments to maximize psychological impact.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Indrajala (Military Stratagems and Illusion-arts)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An armored king advances to battle while a radiant Indra apparition is revealed at the decisive moment—light, banners, and illusion devices shaping the battlefield’s perception.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, luminous Indra appearing in the sky with stylized lightning, king in ornate armor below, illusionists with banners and smoke, dramatic contrast colors, sacred aura motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central golden Indra with heavy gold work and halo, king and army beneath, rich jewel tones, embossed ornaments on armor and banners, theatrical revelation composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear staged scene: king armored, assistants operating screens/standards/lamps to create ‘Indra’ visibility, annotated feel, balanced palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sophisticated courtly battlefield with special-effects staging, Indra apparition in cloud band, meticulous armor detail, observers reacting in awe"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devājñāvṛṃhito = deva-ājñā-vṛṃhitaḥ (compound + visarga loss in continuous text).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Indrajāla/ māyā-related sections within Dhanurveda khanda; Agni Purana mantra/yantra discussions where applicable
FAQs
It introduces Indrajāla—battlefield illusion and psychological tactics—stressing correct timing (kāla) to display an Indra-like manifestation to influence morale and perception in war.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves applied statecraft and military sciences; this verse signals a shift into technical instruction on strategic deception within Dhanurveda-style material.
By framing victory as aligned with deva-ājñā (divine mandate) and kāla (right timing), the verse presents kingship and warfare as actions ideally regulated by dharma, not mere aggression—implying merit in disciplined, duty-bound conduct.