Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 35
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
सेनापतिबधे तद्वद्दद्याद्धस्त्यादिमर्दने अथवा खलु युध्येरन् प्रत्यश्वरथदन्तिनः
senāpatibadhe tadvaddadyāddhastyādimardane athavā khalu yudhyeran pratyaśvarathadantinaḥ
Quando o comandante tiver de ser morto, deve-se golpear do mesmo modo; do mesmo modo, devem-se desferir golpes para esmagar elefantes e semelhantes. Caso contrário, devem lutar de frente contra a cavalaria, os carros e os elefantes do adversário.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana narration style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Battlefield targeting priorities and engagement doctrine: how to strike key enemy assets (commander, elephants) and when to engage head-on against combined arms (cavalry, chariots, elephants).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Engagement rules: striking the commander; anti-elephant blows; facing enemy cavalry-chariot-elephant line","lookup_keywords":["senapati-badha","hasti-mardana","pratyashva","ratha-yuddha","dantina"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes tactical focus on decisive targets (enemy commander) and methods for disabling elephants. If not using such strikes, troops should engage directly while facing the opponent’s cavalry, chariots, and elephants in proper order."}
Weapon Type: Spear/Lance and arrows (implied), anti-elephant striking implements
Concept: Pragmatic statecraft in war: victory comes from prioritizing decisive nodes (leadership and shock-units) and maintaining correct engagement posture against combined arms.
Application: In training and planning, assign teams for commander-targeting and elephant-neutralization; rehearse engagement sequences against cavalry/chariot/elephant threats.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science / Battle Formations and Tactics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield where a unit aims at the enemy commander while another group attacks a war-elephant; opposing cavalry, chariots, and elephants advance in a line.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized battlefield with bold outlines, senapati marked by banner, warriors thrusting spears, elephant being checked, opposing cavalry and chariots facing each other, rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, heroic warriors with gold highlights, commander under royal parasol, elephant with ornate caparison, dynamic yet iconic poses, rich decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional battle diagram feel: labeled groups (senapati, hasti, ashva, ratha), clear spacing, fine lines, subdued colors, emphasis on tactical facing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed melee with horses and chariots, commander identifiable by standard, elephant charge being blunted, dust and motion rendered delicately, landscape backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वद्दद्याद् = तद्वत् + दद्यात्; दद्याद्धस्त्यादिमर्दने = दद्यात् + हस्त्यादिमर्दने; प्रत्यश्वरथदन्तिनः = प्रति + अश्वरथदन्तिनः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (Dhanurveda subsections on formations, arms, and battlefield conduct)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda battlefield tactics: prioritizing the neutralization of the enemy commander and applying specific striking methods to subdue elephant units, while maintaining direct engagement against opposing cavalry, chariots, and elephants.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military doctrine—here, operational guidance for combined-arms combat (commander, elephant corps, cavalry, chariots), illustrating its coverage of governance and warfare alongside ritual and devotion.
In the Purāṇic frame, such guidance supports a kṣatriya’s dharma—conducting war as a regulated duty for protection of order—so action is framed as disciplined obligation rather than uncontrolled violence.