Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
सेना पदातिबहुला शत्रून् जयति सर्वदा अङ्गसक्षिणभागे तु शस्तं प्रस्फुरणं भवेत्
senā padātibahulā śatrūn jayati sarvadā aṅgasakṣiṇabhāge tu śastaṃ prasphuraṇaṃ bhavet
सेना पदातिबहुला शत्रून् जयति सर्वदा । अङ्गस्य दक्षिणभागे तु शस्तस्य प्रस्फुरणं शुभम् ॥
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Force-composition guidance (infantry emphasis) and battlefield omen-reading (right-side throbbing/quiver as auspicious) for decision-making before engagement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Padati-bahulya and Dakshina-sphuraṇa Shakuna","lookup_keywords":["padati bahula sena","infantry superiority","dakshina sphurana","shastra prasphurana","battle omen"],"quick_summary":"An infantry-heavy army is said to be consistently victorious; additionally, right-side quivering of the weapon/arm is treated as an auspicious battlefield omen."}
Weapon Type: General ‘śastra’ (hand-weapon) and the bearer’s arm; infantry arms implied
Concept: Nimitta (signs) and bala (force-structure) jointly inform successful action.
Application: Combine material preparedness (infantry strength) with situational reading (omens) to time engagement.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Rajadharma (Military omens and battlefield prognostics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield-preparation moment: infantry ranks dominate the scene while a warrior notices a right-side quiver in his weapon arm, interpreted as auspicious by an attendant/omen-reader.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic infantry lines with shields and spears, a central warrior holding a weapon with subtle motion lines at the right arm, an omen-reader gesturing auspiciously, bold reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central warrior with ornate weapon, gold accents on armor and standards, infantry massed behind, a small auspicious-sign vignette highlighting the right-side throbbing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: labeled right-side omen, infantry-heavy formation shown in neat ranks, restrained palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed infantry array, commander in foreground observing his right arm/weapon, courtly realism with an astrologer/soothsayer indicating good fortune."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्गसक्षिणभागे (IAST aṅgasakṣiṇabhāge) पाठभेद/लिप्यन्तरदोष सम्भाव्यः; अर्थतः ‘अङ्ग-दक्षिण-भागे’ (right side of the body) ग्रहणम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (Yatra-adhyaya: omens and campaign conduct); Agni Purana 228 (Svapna-vidya as another nimitta domain)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurvedic/nimitta guidance: infantry-heavy formations are stated to be consistently victorious, and right-side weapon/limb twitching is taught as an auspicious battlefield omen.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military knowledge—here, tactical preference (infantry strength) and omen-based decision support used in war planning.
It frames victory as aligned with dharmic signs (nimittas): auspicious bodily indications are treated as signals of favorable destiny, encouraging rulers to act in accord with perceived cosmic order.