Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
हन्यात्पश्चात् प्रवीरेण बलेनोपेत्य वेगिना पश्चाद्वा सङ्कुलीकृत्य हन्याच्छूरेण पूर्वतः
hanyātpaścāt pravīreṇa balenopetya veginā paścādvā saṅkulīkṛtya hanyācchūreṇa pūrvataḥ
ಹಿಂದಿನಿಂದ ದಾಳಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು—ಬಲ ಮತ್ತು ವೇಗ ಹೊಂದಿದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ವೀರನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಮೀಪಿಸಿ. ಅಥವಾ ಹಿಂದಿನಿಂದ ಶತ್ರುವನ್ನು ಗೊಂದಲಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ನಂತರ ಮುಂಭಾಗದಿಂದ ಶೂರನಿಂದ ಪ್ರಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿಸಬೇಕು।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Flanking/encirclement timing: rear-attack with a fast strong champion; or create confusion from behind and then deliver a decisive frontal strike by a valiant warrior.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pṛṣṭhābhighāta and Saṅkulīkaraṇa: Rear-confusion then Front-kill","lookup_keywords":["pṛṣṭhāt-han","vegī","saṅkulīkaraṇa","śūra","pūrvataḥ"],"quick_summary":"Gives two linked tactics: strike from the rear with a swift powerful unit, or first disorder the enemy from behind and then finish with a frontal assault led by a hero."}
Concept: Victory arises from kāla (timing) and saṅghaṭana (coordination), not mere force; disordering the opponent’s mind/formation precedes defeat.
Application: Operational planning: create controlled disruption, then apply concentrated force at the decisive point.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science and Battlefield Tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A swift champion-led unit sweeps behind enemy lines, causing panic and congestion; simultaneously a valiant warrior advances from the front to strike the now-disordered enemy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two-direction action: rear unit in a curved sweep, front hero advancing, enemy shown clustered and confused, bold rhythmic lines, banners and drums stylized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central heroic figures with gold highlights on armor and standards, rear-attack arc indicated by composition, enemy massed in confusion, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional split-scene: panel A rear disruption, panel B frontal finishing strike, fine linework and clear sequencing cues.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic cavalry maneuver behind enemy, dust and motion, front line clash in foreground, detailed faces showing alarm and confusion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"martial","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्यात्पश्चात् = हन्यात् + पश्चात्; बलेनोपेत्य = बलेन + उपेत्य; पश्चाद्वा = पश्चात् + वा; हन्याच्छूरेण = हन्यात् + शूरेण (त् + श् → च्छ्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241.17–241.18 (kūṭayodhana, flank/rear/front sequencing in uneven terrain)
FAQs
Dhanurveda tactical instruction: use a swift, strong champion to attack from the rear, or create confusion from behind and then deliver a decisive frontal strike.
It shows the text’s coverage of practical statecraft and warfare—codifying battlefield maneuvers alongside religious, ritual, and philosophical topics.
Within a kṣatriya-duty framework, it supports disciplined, strategic action in righteous warfare (dharma-yuddha), emphasizing effectiveness and protection of one’s forces rather than impulsive violence.