Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 17
Yātrā-Maṇḍala-Cintā and Rājya-Rakṣaṇa: Auspicious Travel Rules and the Twelve-King Mandala
आसारस्तु ततो ऽन्यः स्यादाक्रन्दासार उच्यते जिगीषोः शत्रुयुक्तस्य विमुक्तस्य तथा द्विज
āsārastu tato 'nyaḥ syādākrandāsāra ucyate jigīṣoḥ śatruyuktasya vimuktasya tathā dvija
Otro tipo de despliegue, distinto del anterior, se llama ākranda-āsāra. Lo emplea el que desea conquistar, cuando está trabado con el enemigo, o cuando se ha liberado del cerco o de la presión, oh dvija (dos veces nacido).
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s instructional material to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational terminology for field deployments: understand and apply the ākranda-āsāra formation/deployment for a conqueror either while engaged with the enemy or when breaking free from pressure/encirclement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ākranda-āsāra: a distinct deployment for the jigiṣu","lookup_keywords":["ākranda-āsāra","āsāra deployment","jigiṣu","field operations","military terminology"],"quick_summary":"Defines ākranda-āsāra as a distinct kind of deployment used by an aspiring conqueror in active enemy contact or upon extricating forces from constraint."}
Concept: Prayoga (applied knowledge): naming and standardizing battlefield actions enables command, coordination, and repeatable doctrine.
Application: Codify drills and terminology so commanders can issue concise orders under stress; choose ākranda-āsāra when needing decisive forward pressure or a controlled disengage-and-surge.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Military Science: Strategy and Field-Operations Terminology)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Battlefield
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield diagram brought to life: the jigiṣu’s army surges in a coordinated drive (ākranda) and advance (āsāra); one scene shows pressing an engaged enemy, another shows a breakout from a tightening ring; commanders signal with flags and drums.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized battle lines with elephants, chariots, and infantry; a wedge-like surge breaking through; bold flags, rhythmic repetition of soldiers, strong outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: heroic commander with gold-ornamented armor; armies arranged symmetrically; the breakout corridor highlighted with gold accents; rich decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: semi-diagrammatic battlefield with clear formations and labeled movement arrows; commanders giving hand-signals; refined linework suited to technical instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: panoramic battle with detailed units, dust clouds, banners; a focused vignette of a breakthrough; meticulous depiction of armor, horses, and command signals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आसारस्तु = आसारः + तु; ततोऽन्यः = ततः + अन्यः; स्यादाक्रन्दासारः = स्यात् + आक्रन्दासारः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: classifications of vyuha, gati, and operational terms (same adhyaya cluster); Agni Purana Rajadharma: jigiṣu (would-be conqueror) and conquest policy
FAQs
This verse imparts tactical (Dhanurveda/Rajadharma) knowledge: it defines a specific operational deployment called ākranda-āsāra, used during direct enemy engagement or immediately after escaping a dangerous tactical situation.
By cataloging precise battlefield terms and use-cases (when to apply a named deployment), the Agni Purana functions like a compendium that includes not only theology but also practical statecraft and military doctrine.
As part of rajadharma, correct tactical conduct supports the king’s duty to protect subjects and uphold order; fulfilling one’s duty with discernment is treated as dharmic action that sustains social stability and righteous rule.