Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 47
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
दूरापसरणं यानं सुहतस्य तथोच्यते त्रासनं रिपुसैन्यानां रथकर्म तथोच्यते
dūrāpasaraṇaṃ yānaṃ suhatasya tathocyate trāsanaṃ ripusainyānāṃ rathakarma tathocyate
Le «retrait à distance» est appelé le mouvement (yāna) de celui qui a été durement frappé; et «répandre la terreur dans les armées ennemies» est également nommé opération de char (ratha-karma).
Lord Agni (teaching the military sciences to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Chariot tactics: controlled withdrawal when damaged, and psychological warfare—creating terror to disrupt enemy cohesion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ratha-vidhi: Dūrāpasaraṇa (withdrawal) and Trāsana (terrorizing) as ratha-karma","lookup_keywords":["ratha-karma","dūrāpasaraṇa","yāna","trāsana","ripu-sainya"],"quick_summary":"A struck chariot withdraws to distance to recover position, while chariot action also includes terrorizing the enemy—noise, speed, feints, and shock to break morale."}
Weapon Type: Chariot warfare (ratha), with associated bow/spear as implied
Concept: Prāṇa-rakṣa and sādhanarakṣa (preserving life and key assets) alongside manobala (morale) warfare
Application: Do not waste elite platforms (chariots); use them for decisive psychological and positional effects.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Ratha-vidhi (Ancient Indian military science: chariot warfare and tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A chariot, visibly damaged, withdraws to a safer distance while another chariot unit charges with banners and drums, spreading panic through enemy ranks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic chariot with flaring horses turning away to distance; contrasting panel of a charging chariot with raised banner causing enemy soldiers to recoil; bold outlines, dramatic gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central gilded chariot with ornate wheels; horses in stylized motion; enemy figures shown startled; gold work on banner, harness, and wheel rims.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: two-scene instructional composition—left: controlled withdrawal path; right: intimidation charge; fine linework, calm clarity despite action.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed chariot with attendants, dust trails, expressive faces; enemy line breaking in fear; intricate textiles and harness detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: dūrāpasaraṇaṃ → dūra + apasaraṇam; ripusainyānāṃ → ripu + sainyānām; rathakarma → ratha + karma; tathocyate → tathā + ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (ratha duties and battlefield maneuvers)
FAQs
It defines two Dhanurvedic tactical terms: (1) dūrāpasaraṇa-yāna—tactical withdrawal when one is badly hit, and (2) trāsana—psychological intimidation of enemy troops as a function of chariot-operations (ratha-karma).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied war-science vocabulary—classifying battlefield maneuvers and psychological tactics within a formal Dhanurveda framework, like a technical handbook.
While primarily technical, it reflects the dharmic ideal of disciplined, rule-bound conduct in warfare—valuing strategic restraint (withdrawal when overpowered) and effective command (disrupting enemy morale) as part of righteous kingship and protection.