Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 19
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
संशप्तकास्तु समयात्सङ्ग्रामादनिवर्तिनः पताका वैजयन्ती स्यात्केतनं धजमिस्त्रियां
saṃśaptakāstu samayātsaṅgrāmādanivartinaḥ patākā vaijayantī syātketanaṃ dhajamistriyāṃ
‘ஸம்ஷப்தகர்கள்’ என்பது சபதம் செய்து போர்க்களத்திலிருந்து திரும்பாதவர்கள். ‘பதாகா’ என்பதற்கு ‘வைஜயந்தீ’ என்றும் பெயர்; ‘கேதனம்’ என்பதற்கு ‘த்வஜ’ என்றும் கூறுவர்—இவை இலக்கணப்படி பெண்பால் சொற்கள்.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Define the Saṁśaptaka vow-bound warrior type and standardize battlefield insignia terminology (banner/standard), supporting morale codes, unit identity, and command clarity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṁśaptaka Vow-Warriors; Patākā/Vaijayantī and Ketana/Dhaja (Banners)","lookup_keywords":["saṁśaptaka","samaya","patākā","vaijayantī","dhaja"],"quick_summary":"Explains Saṁśaptakas as fighters sworn not to retreat and lists synonymous terms for banners/standards, useful for describing units and signals in war narratives and manuals."}
Concept: Samaya (vow) as binding force shaping conduct under danger.
Application: Frames martial duty as vow-ethics: commitment, cohesion, and accountability in collective action.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: troops, standards, and battlefield terminology)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield tableau: a fierce Saṁśaptaka unit swears an oath before combat, then advances under a tall vaijayantī banner; multiple standards (patākā, dhaja) mark formations; dust and tension of war.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic war scene with oath-taking warriors, prominent fluttering vaijayantī banner with emblem, rhythmic lines, red-brown battlefield palette, stylized horses and chariots.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heroic central standard-bearer with gold-leaf banner ornaments, warriors with determined faces, decorative border framing the vow scene, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative sequence: left shows vow (samaya) gesture; right shows advance under banners labeled patākā/vaijayantī and ketana/dhaja; fine detailing and legible insignia.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic battle with regimented troops, tall standards with emblems, foreground oath circle of Saṁśaptakas, detailed armor and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संशप्तकास्तु → संशप्तकाः + तु. समयात्सङ्ग्रामात् → समयात् + सङ्ग्रामात्. स्यात्केतनं → स्यात् + केतनम्. धजमिस्त्रियां → धजम् + अस्त्रियां (म् + अ → म’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: troop types, signals, and battlefield terms (adjacent verses 365.18–365.25)
FAQs
It defines the Saṁśaptaka as a vow-bound warrior who does not retreat from battle and clarifies technical terms for military standards—patākā/vaijayantī and ketana/dhaja—useful for Dhanurveda classification and battlefield organization.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical war-science vocabulary and even grammatical notes (gender and synonyms), functioning like a compact glossary for military administration and technical Sanskrit usage.
By emphasizing the vow of non-retreat, it frames battlefield duty as a matter of pledged conduct (samaya), implying that steadfastness to one’s sworn role is a dharmic discipline with moral weight.