Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 37
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
व्यूहं भेदावहं कुर्यात् परव्यूहेषु चेच्छया गजस्य पादरक्षार्थाश् चत्वारस्तु तथा द्विज
vyūhaṃ bhedāvahaṃ kuryāt paravyūheṣu cecchayā gajasya pādarakṣārthāś catvārastu tathā dvija
หากประสงค์ก็พึงใช้กระบวนทัพที่ก่อให้เกิดการเจาะทะลุในกระบวนของศัตรู และโอ้ทวิชะ ให้แต่งตั้งนักรบสี่นายเพื่อคุ้มครองเท้าช้าง
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Select breach-causing formations against enemy arrays; assign dedicated foot-guards to protect an elephant’s vulnerable feet from attack and obstacles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhedāvaha-vyūha and Gaja-pāda-rakṣā (Elephant Foot-Guard)","lookup_keywords":["bhedāvaha-vyūha","paravyuha","gaja","pāda-rakṣā","catur"],"quick_summary":"Use a breach-producing formation when needed; for elephants, appoint four protectors specifically to guard the feet, a key vulnerability in battle."}
Weapon Type: Elephant corps support (foot-guards; likely spears/shields)
Concept: Protect the critical vulnerability of a powerful asset; specialization of roles increases battlefield effectiveness.
Application: Assign dedicated close-protection teams to high-value units (elephants/chariots/commanders) and choose formations according to intent (breach vs hold).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science & Battle Formations / Vyūha-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A war-elephant advances while four foot-soldiers guard around its legs, watching for attackers aiming at the feet; a commander indicates a breach-forming maneuver toward enemy lines.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, majestic elephant with ornate caparison, four guards near the legs with spears and shields, stylized enemy line ahead, bold colors and strong contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, elephant adorned with gold accents, four guardians symmetrically placed near feet, decorative battlefield standards, rich gold work emphasizing armor and trappings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional placement of four guards around elephant’s feet, fine outlines, calm composition showing protective geometry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed elephant trappings and attendants, four guards in dynamic poses near legs, subtle depiction of enemy skirmishers targeting feet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेच्छया = च + इच्छया; पादरक्षार्थाश् = पादरक्षार्थाः + (श्-आदेशः) ; चत्वारस्तु = चत्वारः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (gaja-ratha-aśva dispositions and protective roles)
FAQs
Dhanurveda field tactics: selecting a breach-producing formation (vyūha-bheda) against enemy arrays and assigning four dedicated guards to protect a war-elephant’s feet—an operational detail for elephant-corps safety.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning beyond theology by preserving practical statecraft and battlefield science—formation warfare and elephant-unit protection—alongside its ritual, cosmological, and ethical teachings.
Within Rajadharma-informed warfare, disciplined tactics and protective duty reduce needless harm, uphold the ruler’s obligation to safeguard forces under his command, and support righteous conduct even in conflict.