Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 69
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
कक्षपक्षौरस्यैर् भोगो विषयं परिवर्तयन् कोटिभ्यां परिकल्पयेदिति घ , ञ च सर्पचारी गोमूत्रिका शर्कटः शकटाकृतिः
kakṣapakṣaurasyair bhogo viṣayaṃ parivartayan koṭibhyāṃ parikalpayediti gha , ña ca sarpacārī gomūtrikā śarkaṭaḥ śakaṭākṛtiḥ
Mediante los movimientos del flanco (kakṣa), del costado/ala (pakṣa) y del pecho (uras), debe ejecutarse un barrido giratorio que haga rotar la línea de enfrentamiento; ha de disponerse tomando los dos extremos (koṭi) como límites determinantes. Éstas son, entre las maniobras y formaciones nombradas: Sarpa-cārī (marcha de la serpiente), Go-mūtrikā (curva del “orín de vaca”), Śarkaṭaḥ (semejante al cangrejo) y Śakaṭākṛtiḥ (con forma de carro).
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Infantry/cavalry maneuvering: executing turning sweeps and named marching patterns to rotate the engagement line while keeping endpoints secured.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gati/Chāra: Sarpa-cārī, Go-mūtrikā, Śarkaṭa, Śakaṭākṛti maneuvers","lookup_keywords":["sarpa-cari","go-mutrika","shakata-akriti","sharkata","kaksha-paksha-uras"],"quick_summary":"Defines how to pivot the fighting line using flank/wing/front movements and names four standard maneuver-patterns used to confuse, envelop, or reorient against an opponent."}
Weapon Type: Bow (archery corps) with supporting infantry/cavalry movement
Concept: Orderly collective motion converts chaos into advantage; form (ākṛti) governs function in battle.
Application: Use named patterns as standardized commands so troops can execute complex turns under stress.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery & Military Science) — Gati/Chāra (maneuvers) and Vyūha (formations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A commander signals a pivoting battle-line: two endpoints hold firm while the center swings, forming serpent, cow-urine curve, crab-like sidestep, and cart-shaped marching patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style battlefield drill scene, flat vibrant colors, stylized soldiers with bows and shields, commander gesturing, troops forming serpentine and cart-shaped lines, palm-leaf green ground, temple-mural ornament borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a royal commander instructing troops, gold-leaf highlights on armor and standards, troops arranged in sarpa-cārī and śakaṭākṛti patterns, rich reds and greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting instructional diagram-meets-scene: clear troop blocks labeled kakṣa/pakṣa/uras, arrows showing parivartana pivot, delicate linework and muted palette, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a tactical maneuver on an open plain, fine detailing of ranks, banners marking the two koṭi endpoints, curved formations like go-mūtrikā, birds-eye perspective with courtly precision"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षपक्षौरस्यैर् = कक्ष-पक्ष-उरस्यैः (द्वन्द्व + तृतीया बहुवचन); शकटाकृतिः = शकट-आकृतिः; ‘परिवर्तयन्’ कृदन्तः (शतृ) ‘भोगः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणवत्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (Dhanurveda: gati/chāra and vyūha-lakṣaṇa sections)
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurveda technique: how to execute a turning sweep of the battle line using flank/wing/chest movement, and it names standard tactical patterns such as sarpa-cārī, go-mūtrikā, śarkaṭa, and śakaṭākṛti.
By cataloging named maneuvers and formation-shapes with technical vocabulary, it preserves practical military science (movement doctrine and array design) alongside the Purana’s broader religious and cultural topics.
Indirectly, it supports the kṣatriya-duty (rājadharma) of protecting society through disciplined, rule-based conduct in war, framing tactical knowledge as part of dharmic governance rather than mere violence.