Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
द्वौ पक्षावनुपक्षौ द्वावश्यं पञ्चमं भवेत् एकेन यदि वा द्वाभ्यां भागाभ्यां युद्धमाचरेत्
dvau pakṣāvanupakṣau dvāvaśyaṃ pañcamaṃ bhavet ekena yadi vā dvābhyāṃ bhāgābhyāṃ yuddhamācaret
ਦੋ ਪੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਦੋ ਅਨੁਪੱਖ (ਸਹਾਇਕ ਪੱਖ) ਹੋਣ; ਪੰਜਵਾਂ ਦਲ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ ਹੈ। ਲੋੜ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਇੱਕ ਦਲ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਂ ਦੋ ਦਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਯੁੱਧ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, consistent with Agni Purana’s Dhanurveda discourse style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational deployment: defining flanks, supporting flanks, and reserve/central fifth unit; deciding whether to commit one or two divisions depending on tactical need.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Panchanga-bala: Two Flanks, Two Supports, and the Fifth Division","lookup_keywords":["paksha","anupaksha","panchama-bhaga","bala-vibhaga","tactical-commitment"],"quick_summary":"Defines a five-part army structure—two flanks, two supporting flanks, and a necessary fifth element—and advises flexible engagement by committing one or two divisions as required."}
Concept: Economy of force and structured redundancy (supports and a necessary fifth element).
Application: Maintain supports and a reserve so the line can be reinforced, exploited, or withdrawn without collapse.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science: battle formations and tactical divisions)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formation diagram showing left and right flanks (paksha), their supporting units behind/adjacent (anupaksha), and a fifth central/reserve block; a commander indicates committing one or two blocks into combat.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized ranks with distinct banners for paksha and anupaksha, fifth division marked by a larger emblem, commander gesturing with staff, rhythmic repetition of soldiers.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted standards for five divisions, symmetrical left-right wings, ornate central reserve, didactic composition with rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional layout, labeled flags for paksha/anupaksha/panchama, commander and scribe recording the plan, soft palette and precise outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed troop blocks with varied uniforms, marginal notes naming divisions, scene of council deciding whether to commit one or two divisions, refined perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पक्षावनुपक्षौ → पक्षौ + अनु-पक्षौ; द्वावश्यं → द्वौ + अश्यम् (as per given reading); युद्धमाचरेत् → युद्धम् + आचरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235.30 (panchadha sainya-kalpana); Agni Purana 235 (vyuha and bala-bheda context)
FAQs
This verse imparts Dhanurveda tactical knowledge: organizing an army with primary flanks (pakṣa), auxiliary/supporting flanks (anupakṣa), and an additional essential unit, then choosing to engage with one or two divisions depending on the tactical need.
By prescribing concrete battlefield organization (flanks, supporting wings, and deployable divisions), it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and military science alongside ritual, dharma, and other disciplines.
Though technical, it supports the kṣatriya duty (svadharma) of protecting society; disciplined and proportionate conduct of war is framed in Purāṇic literature as dharmic governance, reducing chaos and harm through ordered strategy.