Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 5
अध्यायः २८६ — गजचिकित्सा
Elephant Medicine
सप्तस्थितो गजश्चेदृक् सङ्ग्रामेरीञ्जयेत्स च कुञ्जराः परमा शोभा शिविरस्य बलस्य च
saptasthito gajaścedṛk saṅgrāmerīñjayetsa ca kuñjarāḥ paramā śobhā śivirasya balasya ca
Jika seekor gajah ditempatkan menurut tujuh kedudukan (piawai) seperti ini, ia membawa kemenangan dalam peperangan; dan gajah perang ialah kemegahan tertinggi bagi kem tentera dan juga angkatan perang.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Deployment doctrine for war-elephants: placing elephants in prescribed positions to maximize battlefield success and to enhance camp/army prestige and deterrence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sapta-sthita gaja-vinyasa (Sevenfold stationing of elephants)","lookup_keywords":["dhanurveda","sapta-sthita","gaja-vinyasa","sangrama-jaya","shibira-shobha"],"quick_summary":"Correctly stationing elephants in the standard seven positions is taught as a victory-producing arrangement; war-elephants are also described as the foremost splendour of camp and army."}
Weapon Type: War-elephant (gaja/kunjara) as a battlefield arm
Concept: Kshatra-prayoga: disciplined arrangement of forces as a dharmic means to protect the realm.
Application: Codify elephant corps doctrine in camp manuals; use elephants as both tactical assets and symbols of royal power.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Rajadharma (Military science: battle formations, camp organization, war-elephants)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield diagram-like scene: elephants stationed in seven prescribed positions around the army and camp, projecting power and order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized war-camp with elephants placed symmetrically in seven stations, banners and drums, bold outlines, heroic yet orderly composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted caparisons and royal insignia, elephants in formal positions around a shining camp, celebratory martial grandeur.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-technical layout showing seven elephant stations with clear spacing, commanders gesturing, refined linework suited to instructional depiction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed encampment with elephants tethered at strategic points, officers consulting, realistic horses and infantry, panoramic tactical view."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gajaścedṛk → gajaḥ ca īdṛk. saṅgrāmerīñjayet → saṅgrāme īñjayet (vowel coalescence).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhanurveda—vyuha/formation discussions; Agni Purana: Rajadharma—camp organization and military administration
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurvedic principle of positioning a war-elephant in a prescribed sevenfold arrangement, emphasizing that correct deployment contributes directly to battlefield victory and the effectiveness of the camp and army.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military doctrine—here, tactical guidance on elephant corps placement and the strategic role of elephants in camp and army organization.
By framing warfare as a disciplined science under dharmic kingship, the text implies that victory and protection of the realm arise from ordered, rule-based conduct rather than chaos—supporting righteous governance and the duty to safeguard subjects.