Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 36
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
भेत्तुकामः परानीकं संहतैर् एव भेदयेत् भेदरक्ष्याः परेणापि कर्तव्याः संहतास् तथा
bhettukāmaḥ parānīkaṃ saṃhatair eva bhedayet bhedarakṣyāḥ pareṇāpi kartavyāḥ saṃhatās tathā
శత్రు సేనావ్యూహాన్ని ఛేదించదలచినవాడు సన్నిహితంగా కదిలే దళాలతోనే దానిని ఛేదించాలి. అలాగే ఛేదన నుండి రక్షణకై ప్రత్యర్థి కూడా తన దళాలను గట్టిగా సమూహంగా ఉంచాలి।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Breach-and-counterbreach doctrine: concentrate assault troops to pierce; defenders maintain tight mass to resist penetration and seal gaps.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bheda (Breach) Tactic—Concentrated Assault and Dense Defense","lookup_keywords":["bheda","parānika","samhata-sainya","vyuha-bhedana","raksha"],"quick_summary":"To rupture an enemy line, strike with closely packed troops; defenders likewise keep compact units to prevent and contain breaches."}
Weapon Type: Mixed arms (shock troops; unspecified)
Concept: Concentration of force and integrity of structure determine success in conflict.
Application: Apply ‘mass at point of decision’ for attack; maintain compact defensive blocks and rapid reinforcement to prevent collapse.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Ancient Indian Military Science / Battle Formations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dense assault wedge presses into an enemy line; defenders tighten ranks to absorb and prevent a gap, banners leaning inward with pressure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized wedge of soldiers in tight cluster pushing forward, opposing line compressing, bold outlines, rhythmic repetition, dramatic but orderly composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted standards and armor, two compact masses colliding, central breach-point emphasized with ornate framing, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic depiction of ‘assault column’ versus ‘dense defensive block’, fine detailing of shields and spacing, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, crowded melee at a focal breach, meticulous faces and textiles, commanders signaling, dust and motion rendered delicately."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संहतैर् = संहतैः; परेणापि = परेण + अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (vyūha-bheda and protective dispositions)
FAQs
It imparts Dhanurveda tactical doctrine: a breach (bheda) in an enemy line should be attempted using tightly unified troops (saṃhata), and defensive doctrine likewise requires maintaining compact formations to prevent breaches.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military science—here, concise battlefield engineering of formations (vyūha), showing its coverage of governance and war alongside ritual and philosophy.
In the Purāṇic frame, disciplined unity and controlled force align with rājadharma—right conduct in protection of society—implying that even warfare should be governed by order, restraint, and duty rather than chaos.