Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
विश्रभ्यन्तं परानीकमप्रमत्तो विनाशयेत् अथवा गोग्रहाकृष्टं तल्लक्ष्यं मार्गबन्धनात्
viśrabhyantaṃ parānīkamapramatto vināśayet athavā gograhākṛṣṭaṃ tallakṣyaṃ mārgabandhanāt
ವಿರೋಧಿ ಸೇನಾ-ವ್ಯೂಹ ಶಿಥಿಲವಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯಗೊಂಡಾಗ, ಅಪ్రమತ್ತ ನಾಯಕನು ಅದನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಅಥವಾ ಮಾರ್ಗಗಳನ್ನು ತಡೆದು, ಹಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ಎಳೆಯುವಂತೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಹೊರಕ್ಕೆ ಎಳೆದು ತಂದು ಅದೇ ಗುರಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಡೆಯಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s Dhanurveda discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational tactics: destroy a slackened enemy formation or force it into exposure by route-blocking and controlled extraction, then strike.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Destroying a Slackened Formation; Drawing Out the Enemy by Route-Blocking","lookup_keywords":["paranikam vishrabhyantam","apramatta","marga-bandhana","gograha-drishṭanta","vyuha-nashana"],"quick_summary":"When the enemy array becomes careless, annihilate it swiftly. Alternatively, block routes to pull the enemy out like seized cattle, then strike the exposed target."}
Alamkara Type: Drishtanta
Concept: A vigilant mind converts terrain and timing into force-multipliers.
Application: Leadership training: cultivate apramada (non-negligence) and use environment (routes) to shape outcomes.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science and Battlefield Tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vigilant commander watches an enemy formation loosen; troops block mountain passes/roads, pulling the enemy out into an ambush like cattle being dragged, then striking.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized landscape with a blocked road, soldiers forming a barrier, enemy ranks loosening, cattle-seizure metaphor shown in a side vignette, strong contours and narrative clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central heroic commander with gold accents, flanking scenes of route-blocking and ambush, decorative foliage and banners, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: schematic yet artistic depiction of chokepoints and arrows showing 'marga-bandhana', enemy drawn into a kill-zone, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed terrain with narrow roads, troops erecting barricades, enemy column being pulled forward, dynamic clash at the ambush point, intricate costumes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: parānīkamapramatto → para-anīkam + apramattaḥ; gograhākṛṣṭaṃ → go-graha-ākṛṣṭam; tallakṣyaṃ → tat + lakṣyam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda on ambush (guhya-yuddha), marga/pathyā control, and vyuha handling
FAQs
Dhanurveda tactical guidance: attack an enemy formation when it becomes lax, or use mārgabandhana (blocking routes) to force the enemy into a controllable movement and then engage the exposed target.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and military science (battlefield maneuvers, formation-breaking, and movement-control tactics) alongside ritual and philosophical material.
Within a dharmic kingship framework, the instruction implies disciplined vigilance (apramāda) and strategic restraint—using lawful, controlled measures to neutralize threats and protect subjects, aligning warfare with rajadharma rather than reckless violence.