Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 20
Chapter 230: शकुनानि (Śakunāni) — Omens
बलप्रस्थानयोः सर्वे पुरस्तात्सङ्घचारिणः जयावहा विनिर्दिष्टाः पश्चान्निधनकारिणः
balaprasthānayoḥ sarve purastātsaṅghacāriṇaḥ jayāvahā vinirdiṣṭāḥ paścānnidhanakāriṇaḥ
Dans la marche et l’avancée d’une armée, tous ceux qui se meuvent en formation ordonnée à l’avant sont déclarés porteurs de victoire; ceux qui restent en arrière sont dits causer la ruine ou une perte mortelle.
Lord Agni (instructor-narrator) speaking to sage Vasiṣṭha (traditional Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Battlefield discipline: maintain forward organized movement (saṅghacāra) during march/advance; prevent straggling to avoid defeat and casualties.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Balaprasthāna—front formation brings victory; rear straggling brings ruin","lookup_keywords":["balaprasthāna","saṅghacārin","jayāvaha","pṛṣṭhataḥ","vyūha"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a practical marching principle: cohesive, organized front movement is auspicious and victory-producing; falling behind is inauspicious and destructive."}
Concept: Saṅgha (cohesion) is both auspicious sign and practical cause of success; disorder is self-destructive.
Application: In any collective task (army, governance, projects), keep the lead unit coordinated and ensure lagging members are supported/regulated.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Marching formations and battlefield omens)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An army column on the move: a tight, orderly vanguard at the front with banners and drums, while a few stragglers at the rear appear vulnerable—illustrating victory vs ruin.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized marching soldiers in rhythmic rows, front ranks compact with flags, rear figures scattered, strong reds/ochres, dynamic diagonals.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, royal army procession with gold-embossed standards, front formation symmetrical and auspicious, rear stragglers shown smaller and dimmer, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional military diagram scene, clear spacing, labeled 'purastāt saṅghacāriṇaḥ' and 'paścāt', emphasis on formation geometry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed marching camp with elephants/horses and footmen, vanguard tightly grouped, rear stragglers near dust clouds, realistic landscape and uniforms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Raga Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: purastātsaṅghacāriṇaḥ = purastāt + saṅghacāriṇaḥ. paścānnidhanakāriṇaḥ = paścāt + nidhana-kāriṇaḥ (t/d assimilation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana (Dhanurveda/raṇanīti materials in various chapters)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurveda principle of battlefield logistics: maintain a compact, organized front formation during an advance; straggling behind is treated as tactically dangerous and ruin-causing.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and war-science—here, a concise rule on troop movement and discipline that functions like a military manual.
By framing discipline as “victory-bringing” versus “destruction-causing,” the text links orderly, duty-bound conduct (dharma in one’s role) with auspicious outcomes, while negligence and disorder are portrayed as leading to ruin.