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
Im Rücken sollen die Bogenschützen stehen; hinter den Bogenschützen die Reiterei und die Streitwagen. Hinter den Streitwagen sind die Elefanten aufzustellen — o König, Beschützer der Erde.
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.