A technical manual that turns battlefield formations into a standardized, transformable command system so the king’s daṇḍa can be reconfigured swiftly and coherently under pressure. It defines two formation families: linear/segmented daṇḍa-vyūhas and curved/maneuvering bhoga-vyūhas. The army is treated as structured anatomy—pakṣa (wings), kakṣa (flanks), uras (center)—with explicit proportion rules. It provides transformation operations (doubling, tripling, advancing, viparyaya/inversion) to adapt without disorder, and uses maṇḍala as an integrating principle for combining parts into a coordinated whole. The main payoff is command clarity: names and rules enable rapid communication and synchronized movement, bridging mantrā (planning) to kriyā (execution) by making adaptation procedural rather than ad hoc.
Sutra 1
पक्षाव् उरस्यं प्रतिग्रह इत्यौशनसो व्यूहविभागः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०१ ॥
According to Auśanasa, the division of a battle array is: the two wings (pakṣa), the chest/centre (urasya), and the reserve/receiving line (pratigraha).
Sutra 2
पक्षौ कक्षाव् उरस्य्म् प्रतिग्रह इति बार्हस्प्त्यः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०२ ॥
According to Bārhaspatya, (the array consists of) the two wings (pakṣa), the two ‘kakṣā’ (guarding side-belts/auxiliary flanks), the centre (urasya), and the reserve (pratigraha).
Sutra 3
प्रपक्षकक्षोरस्या उभयोः दण्डभोगमण्डलासंहताः प्रकृतिव्यूहाः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०३ ॥
For both (systems)—with wings, kakṣā, and centre—there are basic formation-types (prakṛti-vyūhas) constituted as: Daṇḍa, Bhoga, and Maṇḍala.
Sutra 4
तत्र तिर्यग्वृत्तिर्दण्डः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०४ ॥
There, the Daṇḍa is the formation whose disposition runs laterally (a transverse line).
Sutra 5
समस्तानामन्वावृत्तिर्भोगः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०५ ॥
Bhoga is the formation in which the parts follow one another in close succession (a contiguous, trailing disposition).
Sutra 6
सरतां सर्वतोवृत्तिर्मण्डलः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०६ ॥
Maṇḍala is the formation of mobile troops arranged with all-round disposition (encircling/all-direction coverage).
Sutra 7
स्थितानां पृथगनीकवृत्तिरसंहतः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०७ ॥
When the standing units operate as separate sub-formations (pṛthag-anīka) without close cohesion, the array is termed ‘Asaṃhata’ (uncompacted/disjoint).
Sutra 8
पक्षकक्षोरस्यैः समं वर्तमानो दण्डः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०८ ॥
A ‘Daṇḍa’ (staff/rod array) is when the main line advances level with the wings (pakṣa), the flanks/axles (kakṣa), and the central chest (uras).
Sutra 9
स कक्षातिक्रान्तः प्रदरः ॥ कZ_१०.६.०९ ॥
When that (daṇḍa line) pushes beyond the flanks (kakṣa), it is called ‘Pradara’ (a central projection breaking ahead).
Sutra 10
स एव पक्षकक्षाभ्यां प्रतिक्रान्तो दृढकः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१० ॥
That same array, when drawn back/offset with respect to the wings and flanks (pakṣa-kakṣa), is termed ‘Dṛḍhaka’ (a tightened/firmed disposition).
Sutra 11
स एवातिक्रान्तः पक्षाभ्यामसह्यः ॥ कZ_१०.६.११ ॥
That same array, when it advances beyond both wings, is called ‘Asahya’ (hard-to-bear/irresistible).
Sutra 12
पक्षाववस्थाप्योरस्यातिक्रान्तः श्येनः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१२ ॥
With the wings held in position, if the centre (uras) advances beyond, the array is ‘Śyena’ (hawk formation).
Sutra 13
विपर्यये चापं चापकुकुषिः प्रतिष्ठः सुप्रतिष्ठश्च ॥ कZ_१०.६.१३ ॥
In the reverse arrangement (viparyaya), the «Cāpa» (bow) and «Cāpa-kukuṣi» (bow-belly) are termed «Pratiṣṭha» (stable) and «Supratiṣṭha» (very stable), respectively.
Sutra 14
चापपक्षः संजयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१४ ॥
A «Cāpa-pakṣa» (bow-with-wings array) is called «Saṃjaya» (secured victory/complete conquest).
Sutra 15
स एवोरस्यातिक्रान्तो विजयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१५ ॥
That same (cāpa-pakṣa array), when the centre (uras) advances beyond, is called «Vijaya» (victory).
Sutra 16
स्थूलकर्णपक्षः स्थूणाकर्णः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१६ ॥
An array with thick ‘ear-like’ wings (sthūla-karṇa-pakṣa) is termed «Sthūṇākarṇa» (pillar-/post-eared formation).
Sutra 17
द्विगुणपक्षस्थूणो विशालविजयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१७ ॥
The formation with wings (flanks) doubled in strength and a firm central pillar is called “Viśālavijaya” (Wide-Victory).
Sutra 18
त्र्यभिक्रान्तपक्षश्चमूमुखः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१८ ॥
The formation whose flanks advance in three successive thrusts is called “Camūmukha” (Army-Face/Front).
Sutra 19
विपर्यये झषास्यः ॥ कZ_१०.६.१९ ॥
In the reverse arrangement, it is called “Jhaṣāsya” (Fish-Snout).
Sutra 20
ऊर्ध्वराजिर्दण्डः सूची ॥ कZ_१०.६.२० ॥
A daṇḍa (staff-column) with an upright, straight line is the “Sūcī” (Needle) formation.
Sutra 21
द्वौ दण्डौ वलयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२१ ॥
Two daṇḍas (paired staff-columns) constitute the “Valaya” (Ring/Bracelet) formation.
Sutra 22
चत्वारो दुर्जयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२२ ॥
Four daṇḍas form the “Durjaya” (Hard-to-Conquer) formation.
Sutra 23
इति दण्डव्यूहाः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२३ ॥
Thus are (described) the daṇḍa-vyūhas (staff/rod formations).
Sutra 24
पक्षकक्षोरस्यैर्विषमं वर्तमानो भोगः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२४ ॥
An irregular movement executed through the wings, the flanks/arms, and the chest (main body) is called “Bhoga” (Coiling/Serpentine movement).
Sutra 25
स सर्पसारी गोमूत्रिका वा ॥ कZ_१०.६.२५ ॥
That (Bhoga movement) is either “Sarpasārī” (Serpent-glide) or “Gomūtrikā” (Cow-urine track: a zig-zag/curving trace).
Sutra 26
स युग्मोरस्यो दण्डपक्षः शकटः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२६ ॥
That formation—with a paired main body (double chest) and staff-like wings—is the “Śakaṭa” (Wagon) formation.
Sutra 27
विपर्यये मकरः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२७ ॥
When arranged in reverse (i.e., the formation’s orientation is inverted), it is called the ‘Makara’ (crocodile) formation.
Sutra 28
हस्त्यश्वरथैर्व्यतिकीर्णः शकटः पारिपतन्तकः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२८ ॥
A «Śakaṭa» (cart/wagon) formation, when interspersed with elephants, cavalry, and chariots, is called «Pāripatantaka».
Sutra 29
इति भोगव्यूहाः ॥ कZ_१०.६.२९ ॥
These are the «Bhoga» battle-arrays.
Sutra 30
पक्षकक्षोरस्यानामेकीभावे मण्डलः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३० ॥
When the wings (flanks), the «kakṣa» (side divisions), and the «urasya» (central/chest division) are made into a single unified body, it is a «Maṇḍala» (circular) formation.
Sutra 31
स सर्वतोमुखः सर्वतोभद्रः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३१ ॥
That (maṇḍala formation) is «front-facing on all sides» and «secure/auspicious on all sides»—i.e., capable of meeting threats from any direction.
Sutra 32
अष्टानीको दुर्जयः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३२ ॥
With eight tactical divisions (aṣṭa-anīka), it is difficult to defeat.
Sutra 33
इति मण्डलव्यूहाः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३३ ॥
These are the ‘Maṇḍala’ battle-arrays.
Sutra 34
पक्षकक्षोरस्यानामसंहतादसंहतः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३४ ॥
When the wings, side divisions, and center are not compacted (i.e., not fused into one body), the array is ‘Asaṃhata’ (loose/uncompacted).
Sutra 35
स पञ्चानीकानामाकृतिस्थापनाद्वज्रो गोधा वा ॥ कZ_१०.६.३५ ॥
That (asaṃhata array), by the shape in which five divisions are positioned, is called either ‘Vajra’ (thunderbolt) or ‘Godhā’ (iguana).
Sutra 36
चतुर्णामुद्धानकः काकपदी वा ॥ कZ_१०.६.३६ ॥
For four divisions, (the corresponding layouts are) ‘Uddhānaka’ or ‘Kākapadī’ (crow-foot).
Sutra 37
त्रयाणामर्धचन्द्रकः कर्कटकशृङ्गी वा ॥ कZ_१०.६.३७ ॥
For a formation composed of three divisions, the recommended array is either the ‘Half-moon’ (ardhacandraka) or the ‘Crab-horn’ (karkaṭakaśṛṅgī).
Sutra 38
इत्यसंहतव्यूहाः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३८ ॥
These, then, are the ‘uncompacted/loose’ (asaṃhata) battle arrays.
Sutra 39
रथोरस्यो हस्तिकक्षोऽश्वपृष्ठोऽरिष्टः ॥ कZ_१०.६.३९ ॥
The ‘Ariṣṭa’ array has a chariot-breast (front), elephant-flanks, and a cavalry-back (rear).
Sutra 40
पत्तयोऽश्वा रथा हस्तिनश्चानुपृष्ठमचलः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४० ॥
In the ‘Acala’ array, infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants are arranged successively, one behind another (in depth).
Sutra 41
हस्तिनोऽश्वा रथाः पत्तयश्चानुपृष्ठमप्रतिहतः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४१ ॥
In the ‘Apratihata’ array, elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry are arranged successively, one behind another (in depth).
Sutra 42
तेषां प्रदरं दृढकेन घातयेत्दृढकमसह्येन श्येनं चापेन प्रतिष्ठं सुप्रतिष्ठेन संजयं विजयेन स्थूणाकर्णं विशालविजयेन पारिपतन्तकं सर्वतोभद्रेण ॥ कZ_१०.६.४२ ॥
Against these: one should strike the ‘Pradara’ with the ‘Dṛḍhaka’; the ‘Dṛḍhaka’ with the ‘Asahya’; the ‘Śyena’ with the ‘Cāpa’; the ‘Pratiṣṭha’ with the ‘Supratiṣṭha’; the ‘Saṃjaya’ with the ‘Vijaya’; the ‘Sthūṇākarṇa’ with the ‘Viśālavijaya’; and the ‘Pāripatantaka’ with the ‘Sarvatobhadra’.
Sutra 43
दुर्जयेन सर्वान्प्रतिव्यूहेत ॥ कZ_१०.६.४३ ॥
Or, with the ‘Durjaya’ array, one may counter-array against all (of them).
Sutra 44
पत्त्यश्वरथद्विपानां पूर्वं पूर्वमुत्तरेण घातयेत् हीनाङ्गमधिकाङ्गेन चेति ॥ कZ_१०.६.४४ ॥
Of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants: one should strike each earlier arm with the one that follows it (i.e., infantry with cavalry; cavalry with chariots; chariots with elephants)—that is, the weaker arm with the stronger (or more capable) arm.
Sutra 45
अङ्गदशकस्यैकः पतिः पतिकः पतिकदशकस्यैकः सेनापतिः तद्दशकस्यैको नायक इति ॥ कZ_१०.६.४५ ॥
For each unit of ten sub-divisions (aṅga-daśaka) there is one commander (pati), called patika; for each ten patikas there is one commander, the senāpati; for each ten senāpatis there is one commander, the nāyaka.
Sutra 46
स तूर्यघोषध्वजपताकाभिर्व्यूहाङ्गानां संज्ञाः स्थापयेदङ्गविभागे संघाते स्थाने गमने व्यावर्तने प्रहरणे च ॥ कZ_१०.६.४६ ॥
He should establish signals for the components of the battle array by means of trumpet/drum calls, banners, and flags—(signals) for division of units, concentration, holding position, advance, wheeling/turning back, and for attack.
Sutra 47
समे व्यूहे देशकालसारयोगात्सिद्धिः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४७ ॥
Even when the battle-array is evenly matched, success is achieved by correctly integrating (i) terrain, (ii) timing, and (iii) the decisive advantage (the ‘essence’/main strength).
Sutra 48
मायाभिर्देवसम्योगैः शकटैर्हस्तिभीषणैः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४८च्द् ॥
By deceptive artifices, by staging ‘divine’ manifestations, by wagons/contrivances, and by elephant-frightening measures (terror tactics against war-elephants).
Sutra 49
कोटीजघनघातैर्वा दूतव्यञ्जनभेदनैः ॥ कZ_१०.६.४९च्द् ॥
Or by striking the flanks and rear, and by breaking (compromising) the messenger-system and its signals/codes.
Sutra 50
शत्रुराटविको वा इति परस्योद्वेगमाचरेत् ॥ कZ_१०.६.५०च्द् ॥
Let him cultivate the opponent’s anxiety by keeping it uncertain whether the threat is the enemy (regular force) or forest-tribes/raiders.
Higher battlefield cohesion and fewer avoidable casualties through standardized, quickly communicable formations; the state gains security by converting the army into a controllable instrument rather than a panic-prone mass.
This passage does not stipulate a specific legal penalty; in Kauṭilya’s administrative logic, failure to maintain ordered array in combat is treated as a command fault—punishable under military discipline (daṇḍanīti) by demotion, fines, or severe penalties in wartime depending on resulting loss.