Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 19
Chapter 365 — क्षत्रविट्शूद्रवर्गाः
The Classes of Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras
संशप्तकास्तु समयात्सङ्ग्रामादनिवर्तिनः पताका वैजयन्ती स्यात्केतनं धजमिस्त्रियां
saṃśaptakāstu samayātsaṅgrāmādanivartinaḥ patākā vaijayantī syātketanaṃ dhajamistriyāṃ
‘สํศัปตกะ’ คือผู้ที่ตั้งสัตย์แล้วไม่หันกลับจากสนามรบ. ‘ปตากา’ (ธง) เรียกได้ว่า ‘ไวชยันตี’ ด้วย; และ ‘เกตนะ’ เรียกว่า ‘ธช’—คำเหล่านี้จัดเป็นเพศหญิงตามไวยากรณ์.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Define the Saṁśaptaka vow-bound warrior type and standardize battlefield insignia terminology (banner/standard), supporting morale codes, unit identity, and command clarity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṁśaptaka Vow-Warriors; Patākā/Vaijayantī and Ketana/Dhaja (Banners)","lookup_keywords":["saṁśaptaka","samaya","patākā","vaijayantī","dhaja"],"quick_summary":"Explains Saṁśaptakas as fighters sworn not to retreat and lists synonymous terms for banners/standards, useful for describing units and signals in war narratives and manuals."}
Concept: Samaya (vow) as binding force shaping conduct under danger.
Application: Frames martial duty as vow-ethics: commitment, cohesion, and accountability in collective action.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: troops, standards, and battlefield terminology)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield tableau: a fierce Saṁśaptaka unit swears an oath before combat, then advances under a tall vaijayantī banner; multiple standards (patākā, dhaja) mark formations; dust and tension of war.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic war scene with oath-taking warriors, prominent fluttering vaijayantī banner with emblem, rhythmic lines, red-brown battlefield palette, stylized horses and chariots.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heroic central standard-bearer with gold-leaf banner ornaments, warriors with determined faces, decorative border framing the vow scene, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative sequence: left shows vow (samaya) gesture; right shows advance under banners labeled patākā/vaijayantī and ketana/dhaja; fine detailing and legible insignia.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic battle with regimented troops, tall standards with emblems, foreground oath circle of Saṁśaptakas, detailed armor and landscape depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संशप्तकास्तु → संशप्तकाः + तु. समयात्सङ्ग्रामात् → समयात् + सङ्ग्रामात्. स्यात्केतनं → स्यात् + केतनम्. धजमिस्त्रियां → धजम् + अस्त्रियां (म् + अ → म’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: troop types, signals, and battlefield terms (adjacent verses 365.18–365.25)
FAQs
It defines the Saṁśaptaka as a vow-bound warrior who does not retreat from battle and clarifies technical terms for military standards—patākā/vaijayantī and ketana/dhaja—useful for Dhanurveda classification and battlefield organization.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical war-science vocabulary and even grammatical notes (gender and synonyms), functioning like a compact glossary for military administration and technical Sanskrit usage.
By emphasizing the vow of non-retreat, it frames battlefield duty as a matter of pledged conduct (samaya), implying that steadfastness to one’s sworn role is a dharmic discipline with moral weight.