Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 37
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
व्यूहं भेदावहं कुर्यात् परव्यूहेषु चेच्छया गजस्य पादरक्षार्थाश् चत्वारस्तु तथा द्विज
vyūhaṃ bhedāvahaṃ kuryāt paravyūheṣu cecchayā gajasya pādarakṣārthāś catvārastu tathā dvija
Если он пожелает, пусть применит строй, приносящий прорыв в построениях врага. Так же, о двиджа (брахман), следует назначить четверых воинов для охраны ног боевого слона.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Select breach-causing formations against enemy arrays; assign dedicated foot-guards to protect an elephant’s vulnerable feet from attack and obstacles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhedāvaha-vyūha and Gaja-pāda-rakṣā (Elephant Foot-Guard)","lookup_keywords":["bhedāvaha-vyūha","paravyuha","gaja","pāda-rakṣā","catur"],"quick_summary":"Use a breach-producing formation when needed; for elephants, appoint four protectors specifically to guard the feet, a key vulnerability in battle."}
Weapon Type: Elephant corps support (foot-guards; likely spears/shields)
Concept: Protect the critical vulnerability of a powerful asset; specialization of roles increases battlefield effectiveness.
Application: Assign dedicated close-protection teams to high-value units (elephants/chariots/commanders) and choose formations according to intent (breach vs hold).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science & Battle Formations / Vyūha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A war-elephant advances while four foot-soldiers guard around its legs, watching for attackers aiming at the feet; a commander indicates a breach-forming maneuver toward enemy lines.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, majestic elephant with ornate caparison, four guards near the legs with spears and shields, stylized enemy line ahead, bold colors and strong contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, elephant adorned with gold accents, four guardians symmetrically placed near feet, decorative battlefield standards, rich gold work emphasizing armor and trappings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional placement of four guards around elephant’s feet, fine outlines, calm composition showing protective geometry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed elephant trappings and attendants, four guards in dynamic poses near legs, subtle depiction of enemy skirmishers targeting feet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेच्छया = च + इच्छया; पादरक्षार्थाश् = पादरक्षार्थाः + (श्-आदेशः) ; चत्वारस्तु = चत्वारः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (gaja-ratha-aśva dispositions and protective roles)
FAQs
Dhanurveda field tactics: selecting a breach-producing formation (vyūha-bheda) against enemy arrays and assigning four dedicated guards to protect a war-elephant’s feet—an operational detail for elephant-corps safety.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning beyond theology by preserving practical statecraft and battlefield science—formation warfare and elephant-unit protection—alongside its ritual, cosmological, and ethical teachings.
Within Rajadharma-informed warfare, disciplined tactics and protective duty reduce needless harm, uphold the ruler’s obligation to safeguard forces under his command, and support righteous conduct even in conflict.