शमान्तरं पत्तिं स्थापयेत्त्रिशमान्तरमश्वम् पञ्चशमान्तरं रथं हस्तिनं वा ॥ कZ_१०.५.०३ ॥
śamāntaraṃ pattiṃ sthāpayet triśamāntaram aśvam pañcaśamāntaraṃ rathaṃ hastinaṃ vā
He should station infantry at intervals of one śama; cavalry at intervals of three śamas; and chariots or elephants at intervals of five śamas.
Greater mass and turning radius require more lateral/longitudinal room; spacing reduces self-interference and enables controlled maneuver under stress.