Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
चतुरङ्गं बलं राजा सहायार्थं दिवौकसां बलन्तु दर्शयेत् प्राप्तं रक्तवृष्टिञ्चेन्द्रपौ
caturaṅgaṃ balaṃ rājā sahāyārthaṃ divaukasāṃ balantu darśayet prāptaṃ raktavṛṣṭiñcendrapau
దివౌకసుల సహాయార్థం రాజు చతురంగ సేనను ప్రదర్శించవలెను; అలాగే ఇంద్రధ్వజానికి సంబంధించిన రక్తవృష్టి అనే అపశకునం సంభవించినదిగా గ్రహించవలెను।
Lord Agni (narrating puranic instruction to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Muster and display the fourfold army to signal readiness and invite allied/divine support; interpret ominous signs (e.g., blood-rain) linked with Indra’s banner for operational decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Caturaṅga-bala Muster and Indra-dhvaja Omens (Blood-Rain)","lookup_keywords":["caturaṅga-bala","divaukas","indra-dhvaja","rakta-vṛṣṭi","nimitta"],"quick_summary":"Publicly array the fourfold army (infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants) as a readiness display; monitor extraordinary omens like blood-rain associated with Indra’s banner to adjust strategy and rites."}
Concept: Rāja-dharma integrates śakti (military preparedness) with daiva/nimitta (ritual-omen awareness).
Application: Combine logistics and morale displays with systematic omen monitoring to guide timing and risk management.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Military organization and omens)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king reviews the fourfold army in formation under a prominent Indra banner; the sky shows an ominous red rain, and advisors interpret the portent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, regimented fourfold army rows, towering Indra-dhvaja with ornate motifs, crimson rain stylized as red droplets, priests/advisors gesturing interpretation, strong outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, royal review scene with gold-highlighted Indra banner, elephants and chariots richly adorned, red-rain motif in patterned sky, devotional-royal grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, orderly parade layout showing infantry/cavalry/chariots/elephants distinctly, Indra banner labeled, subtle red-rain omen, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, imperial muster with detailed elephants and cavalry, fluttering standard, unusual red-tinted rain in sky, courtiers consulting, high detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: balantu = balaṃ + tu; raktavṛṣṭiñcendrapau = rakta-vṛṣṭim + ca + indrapau. Final word indrapau appears textually uncertain; parsed as indra-pau (dual).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on caturaṅga and senā-vyūha; Agni Purana Jyotiṣa/nimitta-related passages (omens)
FAQs
It instructs the king in practical war-preparation: mustering the catur-aṅga (fourfold) army and interpreting a specific battlefield omen—raktavṛṣṭi (blood-rain)—linked with Indra’s standard.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied statecraft and military lore—army classification, public musters, and omenology—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and warfare alongside ritual and philosophy.
By aligning royal action with divine order (seeking deva-sahāya) and heeding ominous signs, the king is urged to act with dharmic caution—reducing adharmic violence and avoiding actions undertaken under inauspicious portents.