Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
यायाद्व्यूहेन महता मकरेण पुरोभये श्येनेनोद्धृतपक्षेण सूच्या वा वीरवक्त्रया
yāyādvyūhena mahatā makareṇa purobhaye śyenenoddhṛtapakṣeṇa sūcyā vā vīravaktrayā
மிகப் பெரிய படைவியூகத்துடன் முன்னேற வேண்டும்—முன்புறத்தின் இரு பக்கங்களிலும் தாக்க ‘மகர’ வியூகம், அல்லது உயர்த்திய இறக்கைகளுடன் ‘ஷ்யேன’ வியூகம், அல்லது ‘ஸூசி’ வியூகம், அல்லது ‘வீரவக்த்ரா’ வியூகம்.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Selecting an appropriate battle formation (vyuha) for advance and assault—Makara, Śyena, Sūcī, or Vīravaktrā—based on desired penetration, flanking, and shock effect.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Assault Formations: Makara, Śyena, Sūcī, Vīravaktrā","lookup_keywords":["vyūha","makara-vyūha","śyena-vyūha","sūcī-vyūha","vīravaktrā"],"quick_summary":"Advance using a major formation suited to the tactical aim: Makara for strong frontal pressure with side strikes, Śyena for winged envelopment, Sūcī for piercing, and Vīravaktrā for a hero-led shock-front."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Form (ākāra) as applied intelligence: shaping collective force into a purposeful pattern.
Application: Choose organizational structure to match objective—penetrate, envelop, or shock—rather than relying on raw strength alone.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Formations and Tactical Assault Methods)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four alternative battle arrays depicted like diagrams on a battlefield: Makara-shaped front with side-curves, Śyena like a hawk with raised wings, Sūcī as a narrow needle-point spearhead, and Vīravaktrā as a bold face-like front led by heroes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized geometric-animal formations across a flat battlefield plane, bold outlines forming makara and śyena silhouettes, heroic figures at the vīravaktrā front, decorative clouds and banners","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted formation outlines, iconic hawk-wing array, ornate elephants/chariots marking key nodes, symmetrical composition with labeled arrays","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional diagrams with elegant figures, clear separation of four formations, emphasis on wing and spearhead geometry, fine borders","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bird’s-eye battlefield with troops arranged into recognizable shapes, detailed standards marking wings and center, dynamic yet precise geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यायाद्व्यूहेन = यायात् व्यूहेन; पुरोभये = पुरः भये; श्येनेनोद्धृतपक्षेण = श्येनेन उद्धृत-पक्षेण.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: vyuha-nāma lists and deployment rules near 241.8
FAQs
This verse teaches Dhanurveda tactical knowledge: selecting and advancing in specific vyūhas (Makara, Śyena, Sūcī, Vīravaktrā) suited to flanking, winged expansion, or piercing assault.
By prescribing named battlefield formations and their functional character (front/flanks, wings, piercing), it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical statecraft and military science alongside ritual and theology.
In the Purāṇic worldview, disciplined application of dharmic warfare—ordered formations, controlled advance, and strategic restraint—supports righteous protection of subjects and reduces chaotic, adharma-driven violence.