Adhyaya 227

Verse 1

इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे दण्डप्रणयनं नाम षड्विंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तविंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः युद्धयात्रा पुष्कर उवाच यदा मन्येत नृपतिराक्रन्देन बलीयसा पार्ष्णिग्राहो ऽभिभूतो मे तदा यात्रां प्रयोजयेत्

Thus, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa ends the two-hundred-and-twenty-sixth chapter, called “The Codification of Punishment (Daṇḍapraṇayana).” Now begins the two-hundred-and-twenty-seventh chapter: “The War-Expedition (Yuddhayātrā).” Puṣkara said: “When a king judges that a stronger enemy is pressing him with a war-cry (that is, an aggressive onslaught), and that his rear-assailing foe (pārṣṇigrāha) has overpowered him, then he should set out on a military expedition (yātrā).”

Verse 2

पुष्ता योधा भृटा भृत्याः प्रभूतञ्च बलं मम मूलरक्षासमर्थो ऽस्मि तैर् गत्वा शिविरे व्रजेत्

“My warriors are well-provisioned; the hired troops and attendants are also well-supported, and my force is abundant. I am capable of guarding the main base; therefore, having gone with them, he should proceed to the military camp.”

Verse 3

शत्रोर्वा व्यसने यायात् दैवाद्यैः पीडितं परं भूकम्पो यान्दिशं याति याञ्च केतुर्व्यदूषयत्

Or else, the enemy may fall into calamity—severely afflicted by divine and other uncontrollable causes—(and this is inferred) from the direction toward which the earthquake moves and the direction that the comet (ketu) has tainted.

Verse 4

विद्विष्टनाशकं सैन्यं सम्भूतान्तःप्रकोपनं शरीरस्फुरणे धन्ये तथा सुस्वप्रदर्शने

An army that destroys the hated foe arises, and an inner agitation is produced. When there is auspicious twitching of the body, and likewise when good dreams are seen—these are the indications.

Verse 5

निमित्ते शकुने धन्ये जाते शत्रुपुरं व्रजेत् पुनर्जित्वेति ग , घ , ज च तैर् वृत्वा इति साधुः सम्भूतान्तःकोपदमिति ख , छ च पदातिनागबहुलां सेनां प्रावृषि योजयेत्

When an auspicious omen-bird sign (śakuna-nimitta) occurs, one should march to the enemy’s stronghold; and, having conquered, one should return again (as read in some recensions). It is preferable to proceed after selecting and arraying the forces accordingly. In the rainy season, one should deploy an army rich in infantry and elephants.

Verse 6

हेमन्ते शिशिरे चैव रथवाजिसमाकुलां चतुरङ्गबलोपेतां वसन्ते वा शरन्म्मुखे

In hemanta and śiśira (the cold seasons)—or else in spring, or at the beginning of autumn—one should set forth with an army crowded with chariots and horses, furnished with the fourfold forces (catur-aṅga).

Verse 7

सेना पदातिबहुला शत्रून् जयति सर्वदा अङ्गसक्षिणभागे तु शस्तं प्रस्फुरणं भवेत्

An army rich in infantry always conquers its enemies. Moreover, if a weapon (or the arm bearing it) quivers or throbs on the right side of the body, it is considered an auspicious sign.

Verse 8

न शस्तन्तु तथा वामे पृष्ठस्य हृदयस्य च लाञ्छनं पिटकञ्चैव विज्ञेयं स्फुरणं तथा

But on the left side, marks on the back and on the region of the heart are not regarded as auspicious; likewise, a boil (eruption) should be understood as an omen, and also bodily throbbing.

Verse 9

विपर्ययेणाभिहितं सव्ये स्त्रीणां शुभं भवेत्

When stated in the reverse manner, the same indication becomes auspicious for women on the left side.