Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
हन्यात् प्रवीरपुरुषैर् भङ्गदानापकर्षणैः पुरस्ताद्दर्शनं दत्वा तल्लक्षकृतनिश् चयात्
hanyāt pravīrapuruṣair bhaṅgadānāpakarṣaṇaiḥ purastāddarśanaṃ datvā tallakṣakṛtaniś cayāt
ವ್ಯೂಹಭಂಗ, (ಯುಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ) ದಾನ/ರಿಯಾಯಿತಿ ನೀಡುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಶತ್ರುವನ್ನು ಎಳೆದು ಬೇರ್ಪಡಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಪುಣರಾದ ಅಗ್ರವೀರರಿಂದ ಶತ್ರುವನ್ನು ಹೊಡೆಯಬೇಕು. ಮೊದಲು ಮುಂಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು, ನಂತರ ಅವರ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ನಿಶ್ಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಬೇಕು।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Battlefield deception and engagement protocol: use elite shock troops for line-breaking, feigned concessions to manipulate enemy intent, and controlled withdrawal to draw them out; then decide based on observed enemy signs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pravīra-prayoga: Bheda–Dāna–Apakarṣaṇa with Lakṣaṇa-parīkṣā","lookup_keywords":["pravīra","bhanga","dāna","apakarṣaṇa","lakṣaṇa-parīkṣā"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a tactical sequence: deploy heroic vanguard for breaking the enemy, employ feigned concessions and luring withdrawal, show oneself to provoke/measure response, then strike based on confirmed enemy indicators."}
Concept: Yukti (strategic reasoning) and lakṣaṇa-jñāna (reading signs) govern successful action; bravery is guided by discernment.
Application: Decision-making under uncertainty: provoke information, observe indicators, then act—useful for leadership, security planning, and competitive strategy.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian military science and tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A commander presents himself at the front to bait the enemy; elite heroes prepare to break the line while a detachment feigns concession and withdrawal, drawing the enemy into overextension; scouts observe enemy signs and relay to the commander.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized battlefield with clear bands: vanguard heroes in front, a retreating unit luring the enemy, commander centered with raised hand signaling ‘observe’, bold reds/ochres, rhythmic spear-and-banner patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, commander with gold halo-like aura of authority, ornate armor, vanguard heroes poised, enemy line shown as a patterned wall, gold embellishment on banners, narrative clarity with rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic battlefield: labeled groups (vanguard, lure unit, scouts), fine outlines, subdued palette, emphasis on tactical sequence and observation of enemy ‘lakṣaṇas’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed cavalry and infantry, commander visible at front, subtle depiction of feigned retreat, spies/scouts at margins, intricate banners and dust clouds, dynamic but controlled composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"martial","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुरस्ताद्दर्शनम् = पुरस्तात् + दर्शनम्; तल्लक्षकृतनिश्चयात् read as तत् + लक्ष + कृत + निश्चयात् (tallakṣakṛta-niścayāt). Text shows 'निश् चयात्' split; normalized to निश्चयात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda/nīti portions on vyūha, upāya, and kūṭayuddha (near 241.16–241.18)
FAQs
Dhanurveda/Yuddha-nīti: employ elite shock troops to break formations, use feigned concessions (dāna) and withdrawal/luring (apakarṣaṇa), and decide actions after reading the enemy’s observable signs (lakṣaṇa).
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual of statecraft and warfare—alongside theology and ritual—by prescribing concrete battlefield methods (formation-breaking, deception, reconnaissance-by-observation).
As nīti, it frames warfare as disciplined, knowledge-based action: victory should come from trained conduct and discernment rather than uncontrolled violence, aligning force with responsible kingship (rāja-dharma).