Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 57
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
गजाद्यैश् च गजाद्याश् च न हन्तव्याः पलायिनः न प्रेक्षकाः प्रविष्टाश् च अशस्त्राः प्रतितादयः
gajādyaiś ca gajādyāś ca na hantavyāḥ palāyinaḥ na prekṣakāḥ praviṣṭāś ca aśastrāḥ pratitādayaḥ
Mereka yang telah melarikan diri tidak boleh dibunuh—sama ada dari pasukan gajah dan seumpamanya, atau pasukan lain. Juga tidak wajar menyerang para penonton, mereka yang masuk (ke medan atau kem) tanpa niat bertempur, yang tidak bersenjata, serta mereka yang telah menyerah diri dan seumpamanya.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rules of engagement protecting non-combatants and incapacitated persons; establishes humane constraints in warfare (no killing of fleeing, unarmed, surrendered, or non-participants).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Protected Persons in Battle: Fleeing, Unarmed, Surrendered, and Non-Combatants","lookup_keywords":["palāyin","aśastra","prēkṣaka","prapanna","yuddha-dharma"],"quick_summary":"Do not strike those who flee, spectators, inadvertent entrants, the unarmed, or those who have surrendered. The verse enumerates categories of immunity to prevent cruelty and preserve dharmic warfare."}
Concept: Violence is bounded by dharma; moral victory requires restraint and protection of the helpless and non-combatant.
Application: Adopt rules of engagement and command control to prevent atrocities; honor surrender and protect civilians and incapacitated foes.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Rules of War and Battlefield Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield scene where warriors lower weapons as enemies flee or surrender; an unarmed person and a spectator are visibly spared, while commanders signal restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dynamic battlefield with elephants and infantry, a fleeing soldier and a kneeling surrendered figure, warriors shown halting mid-strike under a commander’s gesture, strong stylized forms.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central commander with raised palm (abhaya-like restraint), kneeling surrendered enemy, unarmed figure protected, gold highlights on armor and banners, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene with labeled groups—fleeing, unarmed, spectator—soldiers instructed to hold fire, fine linework and calm moral emphasis.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: crowded battle with precise detail; a small vignette shows a soldier dropping his sword and being spared; spectators at edge protected; commanders with signaling flags."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गजाद्यैश् = गजाद्यैः (visarga before ca becomes ś). गजाद्याश् = गजाद्याः (visarga before ca becomes ś).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (yuddha-nīti rules)
FAQs
Dhanurveda-yuddha-nīti: it defines protected categories in battle—fleeing troops, spectators, entrants without combatant role, the unarmed, and those who surrender—who must not be attacked.
It shows the Purana’s coverage of statecraft and military jurisprudence (Rajadharma + Dhanurveda), preserving operational battlefield rules alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences.
Restraining violence against non-combatants and surrendered persons reduces adharma in warfare, limiting sinful karma (pāpa) and aligning the king/warrior with righteous conduct (dharma).