Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
पश्चाद्भये तु शकटं पार्श्वयोर्वज्रसञ्ज्ञितं सर्वतः सर्वतोभद्रं भये व्यूहं प्रकल्पयेत्
paścādbhaye tu śakaṭaṃ pārśvayorvajrasañjñitaṃ sarvataḥ sarvatobhadraṃ bhaye vyūhaṃ prakalpayet
ਜੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ‘ਸ਼ਕਟ’ (ਗੱਡੇ-ਆਕਾਰ) ਵ੍ਯੂਹ ਬਣਾਓ। ਪਾਸਿਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ‘ਵਜ੍ਰ’ ਨਾਮਕ ਵ੍ਯੂਹ ਰੱਖੋ; ਅਤੇ ਜੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ‘ਸਰਵਤੋਭਦ੍ਰ’ ਵ੍ਯੂਹ ਤਾਇਨਾਤ ਕਰੋ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Contingency-based deployment: choose formations according to threat direction—rear threat (Śakaṭa), flank threat (Vajra), all-around threat (Sarvatobhadra).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Threat-Oriented Arrays: Śakaṭa, Vajra, Sarvatobhadra","lookup_keywords":["paścād-bhaya (rear threat)","śakaṭa-vyūha","vajra-vyūha","sarvatobhadra-vyūha","all-around defense"],"quick_summary":"Match the vyuha to the danger: cart-shaped for rear attacks, vajra on the flanks for side pressure, and sarvatobhadra for 360-degree defense when surrounded."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Anukūla-vyavasthā (adaptive arrangement) according to changing risk.
Application: In crisis management, reconfigure resources based on where the threat emerges—rear, flank, or all directions—prioritizing containment and continuity.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Arrays and Battlefield Formations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three defensive arrays shown in response to threats: a cart-like formation guarding the rear, vajra-like hardened flanks, and a sarvatobhadra all-round ring with troops facing outward in every direction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-panel composition: śakaṭa rear-guard with carts, vajra flanks as diamond-like wedges, sarvatobhadra as a circular outward-facing ring, bold colors and ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on carts and standards, strong geometric depiction of vajra and sarvatobhadra, rich reds and greens, iconic symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic layout with clear threat arrows (rear/flank/all sides), neat troop blocks forming śakaṭa, vajra, sarvatobhadra, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bird’s-eye tactical scene with surrounding enemies implied, carts protected in rear, flanks reinforced, and a tight all-round defensive ring, intricate detail and landscape depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्चाद्भये = पश्चात् भये; पार्श्वयोर्वज्रसञ्ज्ञितं = पार्श्वयोः वज्र-सञ्ज्ञितम्; सर्वतोभद्रं = सर्वतः-भद्रम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: vyuha-bheda and defensive arrays contiguous with 241.7
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurveda-based tactical deployment: choose Śakaṭa formation for rear threats, Vajra formation to secure flanks, and Sarvatobhadra for all-direction threats.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and battlefield science (vyūha-vidyā), showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge, including military strategy.
By emphasizing disciplined, protective order (vyūha) in moments of fear, the verse aligns action with dharma—minimizing harm, safeguarding dependents, and supporting righteous governance.