Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 12
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
व्यूहस्तु बलविन्यासश् चक्रञ्चानीकमस्त्रियां एकेभैकरथा त्र्यश्वाः पत्तिः पञ्चपदातिकाः
vyūhastu balavinyāsaś cakrañcānīkamastriyāṃ ekebhaikarathā tryaśvāḥ pattiḥ pañcapadātikāḥ
Um «vyūha» é a disposição tática das tropas. Na terminologia militar, «cakra» e «anīka» são formações (padrão) de alinhamento. Uma unidade (básica) consiste em 1 elefante, 1 carro e 3 cavalos; e um «patti» consiste em 5 infantes.
Lord Agni (narrating Dhanurveda material to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Plan troop arrays (vyūha) and define basic unit composition for mustering, reporting, and battlefield deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vyūha definition and basic unit (elephant–chariot–horse–infantry)","lookup_keywords":["vyūha","cakra","anīka","eka-gaja eka-ratha","patti (five infantry)"],"quick_summary":"Defines vyūha as troop disposition; notes cakra and anīka as recognized formations; specifies a basic combined-arms unit and the patti as five foot-soldiers."}
Weapon Type: Combined arms (elephant corps, chariotry, cavalry, infantry)
Concept: Saṅghaṭana (organization) as force-multiplier
Application: Use standardized unit counts to scale armies, allocate supplies, and execute formations reliably.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Vyuhas and Army Organization)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield map-like scene: troops arranged into a cakra formation; an instructor indicates an anīka; nearby, a basic unit is shown—elephant, chariot, three horses—and a patti of five infantry.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized circular cakra array with bright blocks of troops, elephant and chariot emphasized, five infantry grouped as patti, commander gesturing with staff","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on chariot and elephant caparison, symmetrical cakra formation, labeled troop groups, regal commander overseeing deployment","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: circular cakra and wedge-like anīka, neat grouping of 1 elephant/1 chariot/3 horses and five infantry, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bird’s-eye battlefield with precise troop blocks, elephants and chariots detailed, commander with attendants pointing to formation, banners marking units"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vyūhaḥ+tu→vyūhastu; balavinyāsaḥ+cakram→balavinyāsaś cakram; cakram+ca+anīkam→cakrañcānīkam; eka+ibha+eka+rathāḥ→ekebhaikarathāḥ; tri+aśvāḥ→tryaśvāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: subsequent verses on scaling units (365.13+)
FAQs
This verse imparts Dhanurveda (military science) terminology: it defines vyūha as troop deployment and specifies standard unit composition (elephant, chariot, horses, infantry) used to quantify forces.
By giving precise, almost manual-like definitions of formations and unit strengths, it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and war-science alongside ritual and dharma.
While primarily technical, it supports righteous governance (rājadharma) by promoting orderly protection of society; disciplined, rule-based conduct in warfare is treated as part of dharmic kingship rather than mere violence.