Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 32
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
भागत्रयं स्थापयेत्तु तेषां रक्षार्थमेव च न व्यूहकल्पना कार्या राज्ञो भवति कर्हिचित्
bhāgatrayaṃ sthāpayettu teṣāṃ rakṣārthameva ca na vyūhakalpanā kāryā rājño bhavati karhicit
พึงตั้งการแบ่งเป็นสามส่วนเพื่อการคุ้มครองของพวกเขาเท่านั้น. พระราชาไม่ควรกำหนดขบวนทัพ (วฺยูหะ) เลยเมื่อไม่จำเป็น.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Statecraft guidance: prioritize protective troop partitioning and avoid unnecessary or premature vyuha-making; emphasizes restraint and defensive readiness in royal policy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Rajadharma: Prefer Protective Division over Unnecessary Vyuha-Design","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","raksha","bhaga-traya","vyuha-avoidance","defensive-posture"],"quick_summary":"Advises establishing a threefold protective division for security, and warns that a king should not engage in vyuha-planning except when truly necessary."}
Concept: Rajadharma as restraint: avoid needless aggression; protect subjects and forces through prudent organization.
Application: Adopt defensive readiness and escalation discipline; do not provoke or overcommit resources through unnecessary battle arrays.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council instructs ministers to set three protective rings/tiers of guards around camp or city, while a map of complex battle formations is set aside, indicating avoidance unless required.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king seated with ministers, three concentric guard lines around a fort/camp, bold flat colors, symbolic gestures of restraint (hand raised), banners and drums subdued.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with jeweled crown, gold-leaf detailing on throne and fort gates, three-tier guard arrangement shown as decorative concentric bands, emphasis on protection and order.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of three security tiers (outer patrol, middle guard, inner royal guard), labeled standards, calm administrative setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene with strategic map, king pointing to three defensive sectors, scribes recording orders, delicate architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षार्थमेव → रक्षा-अर्थम् + एव; कर्हिचित् → कर्हि + चित्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (rajadharma/dandaniti transition around vyuha topics)
FAQs
It teaches practical rājadharma: organize protection through a structured threefold division, and avoid unnecessary planning of battlefield formations (vyūha), emphasizing restraint and defensive administration.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves statecraft and military-administrative guidance—here, principles of security organization and caution regarding tactical mobilization—showing its coverage of governance as well as religion.
By prioritizing protection and avoiding aggressive militarization, the king aligns with dharma—minimizing harm (hiṃsā), safeguarding subjects, and accruing merit through righteous, non-oppressive rule.