An operational manual that turns the «senā» limb into a measurable battlefield order—spacing, joints, protectors, and scalable chariot arrays—to prevent congestion and preserve control during a fort-based sortie. It defines arm-specific frontage and intervals to avoid asambādha and mutual interference. Bow-length units standardize tactical geometry and enable repeatable deployment templates. It identifies saṃdhi (joints) in the line as critical vulnerabilities requiring deliberate protection. It mandates protective complements (pratiyoddhāra, pādagopa) for horses, chariots, and elephants to keep shock arms functional. It specifies a canonical rathavyūha and modular increments so expansion does not degrade command-and-control. Operational effect: secure wings/supports while maximizing decisive pressure against the enemy center.
Sutra 1
पञ्चधनुःशतापकृष्टं दुर्गमवस्थाप्य युद्धमुपेयात्भूमिवशेन वा ॥ कZ_१०.५.०१ ॥
He should approach battle after establishing a strong position at a distance of five hundred bow-lengths, or else according to the nature of the terrain.
Sutra 2
विभक्तमुख्यामचक्षुर्विषये मोक्षयित्वा सेनां सेनापतिनायकौ व्यूहेयाताम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.०२ ॥
After separating the main force and sending what should not be exposed to enemy sight into a non-visible area, the commander-in-chief and field leaders should draw up the battle-array.
Sutra 3
शमान्तरं पत्तिं स्थापयेत्त्रिशमान्तरमश्वम् पञ्चशमान्तरं रथं हस्तिनं वा ॥ कZ_१०.५.०३ ॥
He should station infantry at intervals of one śama; cavalry at intervals of three śamas; and chariots or elephants at intervals of five śamas.
Sutra 4
द्विगुणान्तरं त्रिगुणान्तरं वा व्यूहेत ॥ कZ_१०.५.०४ ॥
Or he should array them with double spacing, or triple spacing.
Sutra 5
एवं यथासुखमसम्बाधं युध्येत ॥ कZ_१०.५.०५ ॥
Thus he should fight with ease and without congestion.
Sutra 6
पञ्चारत्नि धनुः ॥ कZ_१०.५.०६ ॥
A bow is five aratnis in length.
Sutra 7
तस्मिन्धन्विनं स्थापयेत्त्रिधनुष्यश्वम् पञ्चधनुषि रथं हस्तिनं वा ॥ कZ_१०.५.०७ ॥
In that (array/interval), one should place an archer; at a distance of three bow-lengths, a horse; at five bow-lengths, a chariot or an elephant.
Sutra 8
पञ्चधनुरनीकसंधिः पक्षकक्षोरस्यानाम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.०८ ॥
The junction/spacing of the battle-line (anīka-saṃdhi) for the wings, flanks, and center-front is to be five bow-lengths.
Sutra 9
अश्वस्य त्रयः पुरुषाः प्रतियोद्धारः ॥ कZ_१०.५.०९ ॥
For each horse, there are three men as counter-combatants (assigned fighters).
Sutra 10
पञ्चदश रथस्य हस्तिनो वा पञ्च चाश्वाः ॥ कZ_१०.५.१० ॥
For a chariot—or for an elephant—there are fifteen men; and five horses are assigned/attached.
Sutra 11
तावन्तः पादगोपा वाजिरथद्विपानां विधेयाः ॥ कZ_१०.५.११ ॥
The same number of foot-guards (pādagopā) should be assigned for horses, chariots, and elephants.
Sutra 12
त्रीणि त्रिकाण्यनीकं रथानामुरस्यं स्थापयेत्तावत्कक्षं पक्षं चोभयतः ॥ कZ_१०.५.१२ ॥
One should set the chariot array as three triads; establish the center-front accordingly, and likewise the flanks and the wings on both sides.
Sutra 13
पञ्चचत्वारिंशदेवं रथा रथव्यूहे भवन्ति द्वे शते पञ्चविंशतिश्चाश्वाः षट्शतानि पञ्चसप्ततिश्च पुरुषाः प्रतियोधारः तावन्तः पादगोपाः ॥ कZ_१०.५.१३ ॥
Thus, in a chariot battle-array there are forty-five chariots; two hundred and twenty-five horses; six hundred and seventy-five men as counter-combatants; and an equal number of foot-guards.
Sutra 14
एष समव्यूहः ॥ कZ_१०.५.१४ ॥
This is the ‘samavyūha’ (the standard/even formation).
Sutra 15
तस्य द्विरथोत्तरा वृद्धिरैकविंशतिरथादिति ॥ कZ_१०.५.१५ ॥
Of that (standard formation), the increment is by adding two chariots at a time—starting from twenty-one chariots.
Sutra 16
एवमोजा दश समव्यूहप्रकृतयो भवन्ति ॥ कZ_१०.५.१६ ॥
Thus, (in) odd-numbered (series), there are ten basic types (prakṛtis) of the samavyūha.
Sutra 17
पक्षकक्षोरस्यानां मिथो विषमसंख्याने विषमव्यूहः ॥ कZ_१०.५.१७ ॥
When the wings (pakṣa), flanks (kakṣa), and center (urasya) are arranged with mutually unequal numbers, the formation is an ‘irregular array’ (viṣama-vyūha).
Sutra 18
तस्यापि द्विरथोत्तरा वृद्धिरैकविंशतिरथादिति ॥ कZ_१०.५.१८ ॥
For that (irregular array) too, the increase is by two chariots each step, beginning from twenty-one chariots.
Sutra 19
एवमोजा दश विषमव्यूहप्रकृतयो भवन्ति ॥ कZ_१०.५.१९ ॥
Thus, there are ten basic types (prakṛti) of irregular formations, all of them with odd-numbered (ojā) strength-patterns.
Sutra 20
अतः सैन्यानां व्यूहशेषमावापः कार्यः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२० ॥
Therefore, the remaining deficiency of the battle-array of the troops should be made up by ‘filling in’ (āvāpa).
Sutra 21
रथानां द्वौ त्रिभागावङ्गेष्वावापयेत् शेषमुरस्यं स्थापयेत् ॥ कZ_१०.५.२१ ॥
Of the chariots, one should add two-thirds to the ‘limbs’ (aṅga: wings/flanks), and place the remainder in the center.
Sutra 22
एवं त्रिभागोनो रथानामावापः कार्यः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२२ ॥
In this manner, the ‘filling’ (āvāpa) of chariots should be done so that one-third is kept back (i.e., not added to the side-divisions).
Sutra 23
तेन हस्तिनामश्वानामावापो व्याख्यातः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२३ ॥
By that same rule, the ‘filling’ (āvāpa) for elephants and horses is explained.
Sutra 24
यावदश्वरथद्विपानां युद्धसम्बाधन्ं न कुर्यात्तावदावापः कार्यः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२४ ॥
The ‘filling’ (āvāpa) should be done only up to the point where it does not cause battlefield congestion among horses, chariots, and elephants.
Sutra 25
दण्डबाहुल्यमावापः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२५ ॥
Āvāpa means an increased density/abundance of daṇḍa-forces (the striking/disciplinary arm).
Sutra 26
पत्तिबाहुल्यं प्रत्यापावः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२६ ॥
Pratyāpāva means an increased density/abundance of infantry (patti).
Sutra 27
एकाङ्गबाहुल्यमन्वावापः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२७ ॥
When one arm (a single troop-type) is in excess, the arrangement is called anvāvāpa (supplementary apportionment).
Sutra 28
दूष्यबाहुल्यमत्यावापः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२८ ॥
When vulnerable/defective elements are in excess, the arrangement is called atyāvāpa (over-apportionment).
Sutra 29
परावापात्प्रत्यावापाच्च चतुर्गुणादाष्टगुणादिति वा विभवतः सैन्यानामावापः ॥ कZ_१०.५.२९ ॥
From parāvāpa and from pratyāvāpa, the apportionment of forces is (to be made) fourfold to eightfold, according to resources/capacity.
Sutra 30
रथव्यूहेन हस्तिव्यूहो व्याख्यातः ॥ कZ_१०.५.३० ॥
The elephant-array is explained by (analogy to) the chariot-array.
Sutra 31
व्यामिश्रो वा हस्तिरथाश्वानां चक्रान्तेषु हस्तिनः पार्श्वयोरश्वा रथा उरस्ये ॥ कZ_१०.५.३१ ॥
Or (the array may be) mixed: at the wheel-ends/periphery are elephants; on the flanks are cavalry; at the front/center (breast) are chariots.
Sutra 32
हस्तिनामुरस्यं रथानां कक्षावश्वानां पक्षाविति मध्यभेदी ॥ कZ_१०.५.३२ ॥
Elephants form the breast (main front); chariots the ‘armpits’ (supporting shoulders); cavalry the wings—this is the madhyabhedī (center-breaking) formation.
Sutra 33
विपरीतोऽन्तभेदी ॥ कZ_१०.५.३३ ॥
The reverse arrangement is the antabhedī (end/flank-breaking) formation.
Sutra 34
हस्तिनामेव तु शुद्धः साम्नाह्यानामुरस्यमौपवाह्यानां जघनं व्यालानां कोट्याविति ॥ कZ_१०.५.३४ ॥
But the pure array consists of elephants alone: the sāmnāhya elephants form the breast/front; the aupavāhya elephants the rear; the vyāla elephants the corners—thus.
Sutra 35
अश्वव्यूहो वर्मिणामुरस्यं शुद्धानां कक्षपक्षाविति ॥ कZ_१०.५.३५ ॥
In the cavalry array, the armored horsemen form the breast/front; the unarmored (or lighter) form the shoulders and wings.
Sutra 36
पत्तिव्यूहः पुरस्तादावरणिनः पृष्ठतो धन्विनः ॥ कZ_१०.५.३६ ॥
In the infantry array, the shield-bearers are placed in front; the archers are placed behind.
Sutra 37
इति शुद्धाः ॥ कZ_१०.५.३७ ॥
Thus, these (formations/arrangements) are the “standard/pure” ones (shuddha).
Sutra 38
पत्तयः पक्षयोरश्वाः पार्श्वयोः हस्तिनः पृष्ठतो रथाः पुरस्तात्परव्यूहवशेन वा विपर्यासः ॥ कZ_१०.५.३८ ॥
Place infantry on the wings, cavalry on the flanks, elephants to the sides, and chariots at the rear (or in front); or reverse the arrangement as required by the enemy’s formation.
Sutra 39
इति द्व्यङ्गबलविभागः ॥ कZ_१०.५.३९ ॥
Thus is explained the division of a two-limbed force (two arms of the army).
Sutra 40
तेन त्रङ्गबलविभागो व्याख्यातः ॥ कZ_१०.५.४० ॥
By the same logic, the division of a three-limbed force is explained.
Sutra 41
दण्डसम्पत्सारबलं पुंसां ॥ कZ_१०.५.४१ ॥
For men, the core strength consists in the resources of coercive power (daṇḍa) and material capacity (sampat).
Sutra 42
हस्त्यश्वयोर्विशेषः कुलं जातिः सत्त्वं वयःस्थता प्राणो वर्ष्म जवस्तेजः शिल्पं स्तैर्यमुदग्रता विधेयत्वं सुव्यञ्जनाचारतेति ॥ कZ_१०.५.४२ ॥
The distinguishing criteria for elephants and horses are: lineage, breed, spirit, maturity of age, vitality, bodily build, speed, energy, training-skill, steadiness, high mettle, obedience, and good movement and conduct.
Sutra 43
पत्त्यश्वरथद्विपानां सारत्रिभागमुरस्यं स्थापयेत्द्वौ त्रिभागौ कक्षं पक्षं चोभयतः अनुलोममनुसारम् प्रतिलोमं तृतीयसारम् फल्गु प्रतिलोमम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४३ ॥
Of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants, station the best third (sāra) in the front; place the remaining two-thirds on both sides as the flanks and wings. Arrange the follow-up (anusāra) in direct order; place the third-grade core behind/in reverse order; and position the light (phalgu) contingent in reverse order.
Sutra 44
एवं सर्वमुपयोगं गमयेत् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४४ ॥
In this manner, he should render every element serviceable—putting all forces to practical use.
Sutra 45
फल्गुबलमन्तेष्ववधाय वेगाभिहूलिको भवति ॥ कZ_१०.५.४५ ॥
By placing light/weak troops at the ends, one becomes capable of rapid wheeling and swift maneuver.
Sutra 46
सारबलमग्रतः कृत्वा कोटीष्वनुसारं कुर्यात्जघने तृतियियसारं मध्ये फल्गुबलम् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४६ ॥
Having placed the core (sāra) force in front, he should arrange supporting echelons (anusāra) on the wings; put the third-grade core at the rear, and the light (phalgu) force in the middle.
Sutra 47
एवमेतत्सहिष्णु भवति ॥ कZ_१०.५.४७ ॥
Thus, it becomes capable of enduring (pressure/attack).
Sutra 48
व्यूहं तु स्थापयित्वा पक्षकक्षोरस्यानामेकेन द्वाभ्यां वा प्रहरेत् शेषैः प्रतिगृह्णीयात् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४८ ॥
After establishing the battle-array, he should strike with one—or two—of the wing, flank, or chest (front) divisions; with the remaining divisions he should hold/receive (the enemy attack).
Sutra 49
यत्परस्य दुर्बलं वीतहस्त्यश्वं दूष्यामात्यं कृतोपजापं वा तत्प्रभूतसारेणाभिहन्यात् ॥ कZ_१०.५.४९ ॥
Whatever is the enemy’s weak point—whether his force is deprived of elephants and horses, or his minister is corruptible, or he has been suborned—he should strike that with superior strength and resources.
Sutra 50
यद्वा परस्य सारिष्ठं तद्द्विगुणसारेणाभिहन्यात् ॥ कZ_१०.५.५० ॥
Or, if it is the enemy’s strongest element, he should strike it with double the strength/resources.
Sutra 51
यदङ्गमल्पसारमात्मनस्तद्बहुनोपचिनुयात् ॥ कZ_१०.५.५१ ॥
Whatever limb (arm/unit) of one’s own force is of low strength, that he should build up with additional numbers/resources.
Sutra 52
यतः परस्यापचयस्ततोऽभ्याशे व्यूहेत यतोत् वा भयं स्यात् ॥ कZ_१०.५.५२ ॥
He should array himself near the point from which the enemy’s depletion/attrition arises; or (array) from where danger may come.
Sutra 53
अभिसृतं परिसृतमतिसृतमपसृतमुन्मथ्यावधानं वलयो गोमूत्रिका मण्डलं प्रकीर्णिका व्यावृत्तपृष्ठमनुवंशमग्रतः पार्श्वाभ्यां पृष्ठतो भग्नरक्षा भग्नानुपात इत्यश्वयुद्धानि ॥ कZ_१०.५.५३ ॥
These are cavalry modes of fighting: direct advance, encircling movement, over-extended sweep, withdrawal, feigned disruption with renewed attention, ring-formation, ‘cow-urine’ (serpentine) movement, circular formation, dispersed formation, turning-back (rear-facing) maneuver, following the enemy’s line, (attacking) from the front, from the flanks, from the rear, breaking the enemy’s guard, and pursuit after the guard is broken.
Sutra 54
प्रकीर्णिकावर्जान्येतान्येव चतुर्णामङ्गानां व्यस्तसमस्तानां वा घातः पक्षकक्षोरस्यानां च प्रभञ्जनमवस्कन्दः सौप्तिकं चेति हसिद्युद्धानि ॥ कZ_१०.५.५४ ॥
Excluding the ‘dispersed’ formation, these same maneuvers apply; and there is striking of the four limbs (parts) of the army, whether separated or combined; also shattering of the wing, flank, and front; assault/irruption; and night-raid—these are elephant-corps modes of fighting.
Sutra 55
उन्मथ्यावधानवर्जान्येतान्येव स्वभूमावभियानापयानस्थितयुद्धानीति रथयुद्धानि ॥ कZ_१०.५.५५ ॥
Excluding ‘unmathya-āvadhāna’ (that disruptive/feinting maneuver), these same apply—namely advance, withdrawal, and stand-fight on one’s own ground; these are chariot modes of fighting.
Sutra 56
सर्वदेशकालप्रहरणमुपांशुदण्डश्चेति पत्तियुद्धानि ॥ कZ_१०.५.५६ ॥
Infantry modes of fighting are: striking with weapons suited to all places and times, and the ‘silent rod’—covert/quiet punishment or coercive action.
Sutra 57
विभवो यावदङ्गानां चतुर्णां सदृशो भवेत् ॥ कZ_१०.५.५७च्द् ॥
So far as resources allow, the strength of the four army limbs should be kept proportionate.
Sutra 58
भिन्नसंघातनं तस्मान्न युध्येताप्रतिग्रहः ॥ कZ_१०.५.५८च्द् ॥
Therefore, one should not fight until the formation is re-compacted; the (troops of the) pratigraha are to be held back (as reserve).
Reduced battlefield chaos, fewer friendly losses, better protection of high-value assets (horses, chariots, elephants), and higher probability of decisive victory—thereby stabilizing the realm and safeguarding revenue and population from prolonged war.
Not specified in 10.5. By Arthashastra administrative logic, commanders who violate deployment orders and cause loss invite royal daṇḍa: removal from command, forfeiture of pay/privilege, and punitive discipline proportionate to the damage to men and material.