Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 36
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
निःशर्करा गम्यशैलेति ज किं हि दातुमिति घ , ञ च यथा भवेदसंबाधो व्यायामविनिवर्तने असङ्करेण युद्धेरन् सङ्करः सङ्कुलावहः
niḥśarkarā gamyaśaileti ja kiṃ hi dātumiti gha , ña ca yathā bhavedasaṃbādho vyāyāmavinivartane asaṅkareṇa yuddheran saṅkaraḥ saṅkulāvahaḥ
„(Der Befehlshaber soll solche Code‑Kommandos geben wie:) ‚(Bewegt euch) über kiesfreien Boden‘ und ‚(Rückt vor) auf einen begehbaren Hügel‘; ebenso Befehle wie: ‚Was ist (jetzt) zu geben?‘ — damit es bei Manövern und Rückzug nicht zu Gedränge kommt. Sie sollen ohne Vermischung der Einheiten kämpfen; denn Vermischung (saṅkara) bringt Verwirrung und Unordnung.“
Lord Agni (instructional discourse of the Agni Purana, Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Command-and-control doctrine: use concise code-commands for terrain and movement to prevent congestion during maneuvers and withdrawal; maintain unit separation to avoid battlefield confusion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Code-commands for movement; avoiding saṅkara (intermixture) in maneuvers and retreat","lookup_keywords":["niḥśarkarā","gamya-śaila","vyāyāma","vinivartana","saṅkara"],"quick_summary":"The commander issues short terrain/movement calls (e.g., ‘gravel-free ground’, ‘passable hill’) to keep columns unblocked during drills and withdrawal. Units must fight without intermixing, since saṅkara causes disorder."}
Concept: Victory depends on saṅghaṭana (coordination): clear commands and non-congestion preserve strength in maneuver and withdrawal; confusion is itself a cause of defeat.
Application: Adopt standardized command vocabulary and spacing protocols; plan routes over suitable terrain to prevent bottlenecks.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science: marching, formations, and battlefield discipline)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A commander on a rise signals troops moving across gravel-free ground and a passable hill; columns maintain spacing during a practiced withdrawal, avoiding intermixing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, commander gesturing with staff, troops in neat bands, terrain shown as patterned gravel-free path and stylized hill pass, clear separations between units, strong flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, commander with gold-embossed insignia, orderly marching lines, decorative terrain motifs, emphasis on symmetry and spacing, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic scene: labeled command phrases near the commander, troops in lanes, retreat arrows subtly indicated, fine linework and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic march through varied terrain, officers signaling, troops keeping distance, detailed rocks and hillside path, controlled movement rather than chaotic battle."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेदसंबाधः = भवेत् + असंबाधः. Verse contains apparent manuscript markers (ज, घ, ञ) and possible corruption in first segment; analysis given as-is.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (marching, formations, discipline, signals/commands)
FAQs
Dhanurveda practicals: issuing clear movement/terrain commands and maintaining proper spacing during manoeuvre and retreat, ensuring units do not intermingle (asaṅkara).
It shows the Agni Purana preserving applied statecraft and military doctrine—battlefield command language, movement discipline, and anti-confusion protocols—alongside its ritual and theological material.
Though technical, it aligns with dharma of protection: disciplined, non-chaotic conduct in war minimizes unintended harm and supports righteous governance by preventing panic and disorder.