Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
विशीर्णयन्त्रप्राकारपरिखात्वमशस्त्रता क्षीणया सेनया नद्धं दुर्गव्यसनमुच्यते
viśīrṇayantraprākāraparikhātvamaśastratā kṣīṇayā senayā naddhaṃ durgavyasanamucyate
கோட்டையின் இயந்திரங்கள், மதில்கள், அகழிகள் சிதைந்து, ஆயுதக் குறைவு இருந்து, சோர்ந்த படை மட்டுமே காவலாக இருந்தால்—அது ‘துர்க-வ்யஸனம்’ எனப்படுகிறது।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Fort-readiness checklist: maintain engines, ramparts, moats, weapons stock, and adequate garrison strength to prevent 'durgavyasana' (fort calamity).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Durgavyasana: Signs of a Fort in Calamity","lookup_keywords":["durga","vyasana","yantra","prakara","parikha"],"quick_summary":"A fort is in calamity when its defensive works and engines are ruined, weapons are lacking, and the garrison is depleted. This functions as an inspection standard for defense administration."}
Weapon Type: Mixed (fort engines, general armory)
Concept: Security is a maintained system; neglect of infrastructure and manpower converts strength into vulnerability.
Application: Institute scheduled repairs, armory audits, and minimum garrison thresholds; treat disrepair as an emergency, not a minor fault.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Durganiti (Governance and Fortification / Military Science)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A neglected fort: cracked ramparts, silted moat, broken siege engines, sparse tired soldiers, empty weapon racks—an inspector points out faults.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic fort with crumbling prakara, overgrown parikha, broken yantras, a commander and scribe inspecting, stylized soldiers with shields, muted ochres and greens, strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, fortified gateway with gold-highlighted architectural borders, contrasting vignette of broken engines and empty armory, central figure of the king/inspector with halo-like aura of authority, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration of fort elements labeled yantra/prakara/parikha, small figures showing depleted sena, clean composition for instructional use.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed fort walls with weathering, moat with low water, soldiers in worn uniforms, an official holding a checklist scroll, fine architectural perspective and patterned sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"alert","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viśīrṇayantraprākāraparikhātvam aśastratā → split at word boundary; durgavyasanamucyate → durga-vyasanam + ucyate.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Durganiti/fortification passages on walls, moats, and engines; Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on weapons and military organization
FAQs
This verse imparts Durganīti (fort-science): it defines the operational signs of a fort in crisis—dilapidated defenses (engines/walls/moats), lack of weapons, and an exhausted garrison.
By giving a precise technical definition used in statecraft and military administration, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology—into governance, logistics, and defensive infrastructure assessment.
In Rajadharma terms, maintaining defenses and protecting subjects is a ruler’s duty; neglect leading to a vulnerable fort is treated as a serious lapse in dharma with adverse karmic and societal consequences.