Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 60
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
दण्डस्य स्युः सप्तदश व्यूहा द्वौ मण्डलस्य च असङ्घातस्य षट् पञ्च भोगस्यैव तु सङ्गरे
daṇḍasya syuḥ saptadaśa vyūhā dvau maṇḍalasya ca asaṅghātasya ṣaṭ pañca bhogasyaiva tu saṅgare
Au combat, on dit qu’il existe dix-sept déploiements du type Daṇḍa, deux du type Maṇḍala, six du type Asaṅghāta et cinq du type Bhoga.
Lord Agni (teaching Dhanurveda to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational planning: choosing among standardized families of battle-arrays (Daṇḍa, Maṇḍala, Asaṅghāta, Bhoga) with known counts for training, doctrine, and command drills.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Counts of Vyuha Types: Daṇḍa, Maṇḍala, Asaṅghāta, Bhoga","lookup_keywords":["Daṇḍa vyuha 17","Maṇḍala vyuha 2","Asaṅghāta vyuha 6","Bhoga vyuha 5"],"quick_summary":"The verse provides a doctrinal enumeration of how many subtypes exist within four major vyuha families, serving as a syllabus-like index for battlefield formations."}
Concept: Systematization: complex practice is made teachable through classification and number (saṅkhyā).
Application: Create standardized manuals and examinations for officers based on recognized formation families.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Battle Arrays and Formations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau showing four archetypal formation diagrams—staff, circle, dispersed, and coiled—each annotated with the number of subtypes (17, 2, 6, 5).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style instructional wall-panel; four large geometric troop-arrays with bright banners; Sanskrit labels for Daṇḍa, Maṇḍala, Asaṅghāta, Bhoga; rhythmic repetition of soldiers as pattern.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold borders; four medallions containing formation diagrams; gilded numerals and ornate standards; royal teacher-figure indicating counts with a stylus.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, manuscript-illustration feel; clean diagrammatic formations with subtle shading; clear labels and counts; emphasis on pedagogy and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly military academy scene; instructor presenting a folio with four formation sketches; attendants and officers; marginal notes with counts; fine detailing of uniforms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भोगस्यैव = भोगस्य + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: preceding/following verses detailing specific vyuha names under each type
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda taxonomy: a numerical classification of battlefield formations (vyūhas) into four strategic families—Daṇḍa, Maṇḍala, Asaṅghāta, and Bhoga—used for organizing troops in combat.
By cataloging operational military knowledge (counts and categories of formations), it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and war-science alongside ritual and philosophy.
Though technical, it supports righteous protection (dharma-rakṣaṇa): disciplined strategy is presented as part of a king’s duty to safeguard subjects, aligning force with order rather than chaos.