Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
पार्श्वयोरुभयोरश्वा वाजिनां पार्श्वयो रथाः रथानां पार्श्वयोर्नागा नागानां चाटवीबलं
pārśvayorubhayoraśvā vājināṃ pārśvayo rathāḥ rathānāṃ pārśvayornāgā nāgānāṃ cāṭavībalaṃ
இரு பக்கங்களிலும் குதிரைகள் நிறுத்தப்பட வேண்டும்; குதிரைப்படையின் பக்கங்களில் தேர்கள் அமைய வேண்டும். தேர்களின் பக்கங்களில் யானைகள்; யானைகளின் பக்கங்களில் ஆடவீ-பலம் (காட்டுப் படை) நிலைநிறுத்தப்பட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Layered flank deployment: arrange arms in concentric protective tiers—cavalry, then chariots, then elephants, then forest/irregular troops—to secure sides and respond to threats.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Flank Layering of Arms: Horse–Chariot–Elephant–Forest Troops","lookup_keywords":["pārśva-vyūha","aśva (cavalry)","ratha (chariot)","nāga (elephant)","ātavī-bala"],"quick_summary":"Protect the army’s sides by arranging successive layers: cavalry on the outer flanks, supported by chariots, then elephants, with forest-troops guarding the extreme edges and rough terrain."}
Weapon Type: Chariot, elephant corps, cavalry (as arm categories)
Concept: Yukti (strategic arrangement) through complementary strengths of different arms.
Application: In security planning, place fast-response units outermost, heavier assets as anchors, and terrain-specialists at the edges where unpredictability is highest.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Array and Battle-Formation Science / Vyuha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield diagram-like scene showing both flanks: outer cavalry lines, inside them chariots, then elephants, and beyond/around elephants forest-troops with bows moving through trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized tiers on both sides: horses, chariots, elephants, and forest archers among trees, bold outlines, rhythmic repetition, decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on chariot wheels and elephant caparisons, symmetrical flank layers, rich reds/greens, iconic presentation of the four troop types","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional layering with neat spacing, delicate shading, emphasis on order of placement and unit identity, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed cavalry and chariots with perspective, elephants with ornate howdahs, forest troops in wooded margins, fine textiles and weapon detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पार्श्वयोरुभयोरश्वा = पार्श्वयोः उभयोः अश्वाः; पार्श्वयो रथाः = पार्श्वयोः रथाः; पार्श्वयोर्नागा = पार्श्वयोः नागाः; चाटवीबलं = च अटवी-बलम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: descriptions of vyuha and angabala deployment near 241.7–241.8
FAQs
This verse imparts Dhanurveda knowledge on combined-arms deployment: a layered flank arrangement where horses/cavalry, chariots, elephants, and āṭavī-bala (forest troops) are positioned in successive protective/supporting tiers.
By prescribing a concrete tactical layout for battlefield formations, it shows the Agni Purana’s scope beyond theology—preserving practical statecraft and military science (vyuha-vidhi) alongside ritual, ethics, and other disciplines.
In the Purāṇic framework, correct performance of one’s kṣatriya-dharma includes disciplined, orderly conduct in warfare; such regulated strategy is treated as aligning action with dharma, reducing adharmic chaos and its karmic burden.