Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 12
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
व्यूहस्तु बलविन्यासश् चक्रञ्चानीकमस्त्रियां एकेभैकरथा त्र्यश्वाः पत्तिः पञ्चपदातिकाः
vyūhastu balavinyāsaś cakrañcānīkamastriyāṃ ekebhaikarathā tryaśvāḥ pattiḥ pañcapadātikāḥ
Un «vyūha» est la disposition tactique des troupes. Dans le vocabulaire militaire, «cakra» et «anīka» sont des formations (normées) de déploiement. Une unité (de base) comprend 1 éléphant, 1 char et 3 chevaux; et un «patti» comprend 5 fantassins.
Lord Agni (narrating Dhanurveda material to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Plan troop arrays (vyūha) and define basic unit composition for mustering, reporting, and battlefield deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vyūha definition and basic unit (elephant–chariot–horse–infantry)","lookup_keywords":["vyūha","cakra","anīka","eka-gaja eka-ratha","patti (five infantry)"],"quick_summary":"Defines vyūha as troop disposition; notes cakra and anīka as recognized formations; specifies a basic combined-arms unit and the patti as five foot-soldiers."}
Weapon Type: Combined arms (elephant corps, chariotry, cavalry, infantry)
Concept: Saṅghaṭana (organization) as force-multiplier
Application: Use standardized unit counts to scale armies, allocate supplies, and execute formations reliably.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Vyuhas and Army Organization)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield map-like scene: troops arranged into a cakra formation; an instructor indicates an anīka; nearby, a basic unit is shown—elephant, chariot, three horses—and a patti of five infantry.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized circular cakra array with bright blocks of troops, elephant and chariot emphasized, five infantry grouped as patti, commander gesturing with staff","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on chariot and elephant caparison, symmetrical cakra formation, labeled troop groups, regal commander overseeing deployment","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: circular cakra and wedge-like anīka, neat grouping of 1 elephant/1 chariot/3 horses and five infantry, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bird’s-eye battlefield with precise troop blocks, elephants and chariots detailed, commander with attendants pointing to formation, banners marking units"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vyūhaḥ+tu→vyūhastu; balavinyāsaḥ+cakram→balavinyāsaś cakram; cakram+ca+anīkam→cakrañcānīkam; eka+ibha+eka+rathāḥ→ekebhaikarathāḥ; tri+aśvāḥ→tryaśvāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: subsequent verses on scaling units (365.13+)
FAQs
This verse imparts Dhanurveda (military science) terminology: it defines vyūha as troop deployment and specifies standard unit composition (elephant, chariot, horses, infantry) used to quantify forces.
By giving precise, almost manual-like definitions of formations and unit strengths, it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and war-science alongside ritual and dharma.
While primarily technical, it supports righteous governance (rājadharma) by promoting orderly protection of society; disciplined, rule-based conduct in warfare is treated as part of dharmic kingship rather than mere violence.