Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 38
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
रथस्य चाश्वाश् चत्वारः समास्तस्य च चर्मिणः धन्विनश् चर्मिभिस्तुल्याः पुरस्ताच्चर्मिणो रणे
rathasya cāśvāś catvāraḥ samāstasya ca carmiṇaḥ dhanvinaś carmibhistulyāḥ purastāccarmiṇo raṇe
Sebuah rata hendaklah mempunyai empat ekor kuda; dan bersamanya hendaklah ada para pembawa perisai. Para pemanah hendaklah sama bilangannya dengan pembawa perisai; dan dalam pertempuran, pembawa perisai hendaklah berada di hadapan.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Chariot unit composition: standardize four-horse chariot teams; integrate shield-bearers and matching-number archers; place shields forward as protective screen.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ratha-saṅghaṭana—Four Horses, Shield-Bearers, and Matching Archers","lookup_keywords":["ratha","catur-aśva","carmī","dhanvin","purastāt"],"quick_summary":"A chariot is drawn by four horses; accompany it with shield-bearers, with an equal number of archers, and keep shield-bearers in front during combat."}
Weapon Type: Chariot corps with archers and shield-bearers
Concept: Role-complementarity: offense (dhanvin) functions best when paired with defense (carmī).
Application: Design unit tables (TO&E) where protective elements are proportionate to offensive elements; place protection forward to reduce casualties and maintain firepower.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science / Battlefield Formations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A four-horse chariot stands ready; in front a line of shield-bearers forms a screen, with archers behind them aligned in equal number, preparing to shoot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, four horses yoked to a chariot, frontal shield-bearers with large round shields, archers behind, stylized symmetry and bold palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate chariot with gold detailing, four horses with decorative harness, shield wall in front, archers behind with gilded bows, temple-like border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise depiction of chariot harnessing and troop placement, instructional clarity showing ‘shields in front, archers behind’, fine brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, richly detailed chariot and horse tack, shield-bearers in front rank, archers behind drawing bows, courtly realism and intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाश्वाश् = च + अश्वाः; धन्विनश् = धन्विनः (visarga sandhi before c-); पुरस्ताच्चर्मिणो = पुरस्तात् + चर्मिणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (ratha-aśva-gaja dispositions; unit roles)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda-level tactical instruction: the standard chariot unit uses four horses, assigns shield-bearers, matches archers to them numerically, and places shield-bearers in the front as mobile protection.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical military organization—unit composition, force ratios, and protective screening—showing its coverage of statecraft and warfare alongside ritual and dharma.
By prescribing disciplined, rule-based conduct in warfare, it frames battle as a regulated duty (kṣātra-dharma), where protection of one’s forces and orderly engagement reduce adharmic violence and its karmic burden.