Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 64
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
सारं द्विगुणसारेण फल्गुसारेण पीडयेत् संहतञ्च गजानीकैः प्रचण्डैर् दारयेद्बलं
sāraṃ dviguṇasāreṇa phalgusāreṇa pīḍayet saṃhatañca gajānīkaiḥ pracaṇḍair dārayedbalaṃ
ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੂ ਦੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ ਵ੍ਯੂਹ-ਰਚਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੋਗੁਣੇ ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਦਬਾ ਕੇ ਪਰਾਜਿਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ; ਅਤੇ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਰਚਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੁਸੰਹਤ (ਸੰਗਠਿਤ) ਬਲ ਨਾਲ ਕੁਚਲ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਕੱਠੇ ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੂ-ਬਲ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਚੰਡ ਹਾਥੀ-ਦਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਚੀਰ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਤੋੜ ਦੇਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating Dhanurveda material, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Force-ratio planning and combined-arms tactics: match enemy strength with superior mass; use elephant corps to rupture dense enemy concentrations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bala-prayoga: Overmatching force and elephant-wedge rupture","lookup_keywords":["bala-vyuhabheda","dvi-guṇa-sāra","saṃhata-bala","gajānīka","darayeta"],"quick_summary":"Overpower strong enemy arrays with at least double strength; crush weaker arrays with a tightly consolidated force. Break amassed enemy strength by splitting it using fierce elephant divisions."}
Weapon Type: Elephant corps (gajānīka) as shock arm; massed infantry formations
Concept: Yukti (pragmatic means): proportionate application of strength and appropriate arm for the tactical problem
Application: Operational planning: allocate reserves, choose shock arm (elephants) against dense targets, avoid under-committing against strong formations.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science / Battle Tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield where a compact allied formation presses a weaker enemy line, while a larger allied host doubles a strong enemy array; fierce elephant divisions charge to split a dense enemy mass, creating a visible breach.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, stylized elephants with ornate caparisons charging into a packed enemy vyuha, commanders gesturing to consolidate troops, dramatic red-ochre battlefield palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on elephant ornaments and armor, central breach scene with elephants splitting enemy ranks, symmetrical composition showing double-strength host behind, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework illustrating tactical diagram-like clarity: compact formation pressing, elephants forming a wedge to split the mass, labeled troop blocks suggested through subtle banners.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ranks and individual faces, dust clouds, elephants pushing through a dense infantry square, officers on horseback directing a doubled line, intricate armor and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दारयेद्बलं = दारयेत् बलम्; प्रचण्डैर् = प्रचण्डैः (विसर्ग-लोप/रेफ); संहतञ्च = संहतम् च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on vyūha-bheda and gajānīka deployment (same khanda, surrounding verses)
FAQs
This verse teaches Dhanurveda tactics: match strong enemy formations with superior (double) strength, suppress weaker formations with compact forces, and use elephant-divisions to rupture densely massed troops.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and war-science; this verse is a concise battlefield rule for force-allocation and the tactical use of the elephant corps to break formations.
Within a dharmic kingship framework, disciplined and proportionate use of force is implied: victory is sought through strategy and organization rather than indiscriminate violence, aligning warfare with rajadharma (the ruler’s duty).