Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 38
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
इति कल्प्यास्त्रयश्चाश्वा विधेयाः कुञ्जरस्य तु पादगोपा भवेयुश् च पुरुषा दश पञ्च च
iti kalpyāstrayaścāśvā vidheyāḥ kuñjarasya tu pādagopā bhaveyuś ca puruṣā daśa pañca ca
இவ்வாறு மூன்று குதிரைகள் நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். யானைக்காக காலாட் காவலர்கள் (பாதகோபா) பதினைந்து பேர் நியமிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Standard troop complements for mounted and elephant units: assigning three horses (as a prescribed set) and fifteen foot-guards for an elephant to ensure protection and operational effectiveness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Prescribed complements: three-horse assignment; fifteen foot-guards for an elephant","lookup_keywords":["trayaḥ-aśvāḥ","kuñjara","pāda-gopāḥ","pañcadaśa","unit-complement"],"quick_summary":"Defines normative staffing: a three-horse complement (as organized assignment) and fifteen infantry guards for each elephant. This supports protection, control, and sustained battlefield performance of high-value units."}
Concept: Military effectiveness depends on measured allocation of manpower to high-value assets; prescribed complements prevent under-guarding and disorder.
Application: Use these complements as baseline tables for mustering, budgeting, and training elephant/cavalry detachments.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: war-elephants, cavalry, and troop organization)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A war-elephant unit shown with a ring of fifteen foot-guards and a complementary set of three horses nearby, arranged as an organized detachment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, elephant at center with evenly spaced fifteen foot-guards, three horses to the side, stylized weapons and banners, clear geometric spacing, flat vibrant colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central decorated elephant with gold embellishments, fifteen guards in symmetrical arrangement, three horses with ornate tack, heavy gold work and rich palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-technical depiction: elephant with numbered/clearly grouped fifteen guards, three-horse complement indicated, fine lines and gentle shading, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, organized military detachment in camp or battlefield edge, elephant with surrounding guards, three horses attended, detailed textiles and armor, refined border design."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कल्प्यास्त्रयः = कल्प्याः + त्रयः; त्रयश्चाश्वाः = त्रयः + च + अश्वाः; भवेयुश् च = भवेयुः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (corps organization: elephants, horses, chariots; battlefield roles)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-style force-structure guidance: the prescribed complement of horses and the required number of infantry foot-guards assigned to protect a war-elephant.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana records practical statecraft and warfare details—here, concrete staffing ratios for elephant and cavalry units—showing its coverage of governance and military logistics.
While primarily technical, such prescriptions are framed as dharmic conduct for rulers: orderly, rule-based organization of force is treated as part of righteous kingship (rājadharma) and disciplined action.