Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
अष्टाविंशतितो युद्धं दशभिर्दशभिः क्रमात् द्व्यङ्गुलाभ्यन्तरास्तत्र क्रमादेकाङ्गुलान्तराः
aṣṭāviṃśatito yuddhaṃ daśabhirdaśabhiḥ kramāt dvyaṅgulābhyantarāstatra kramādekāṅgulāntarāḥ
ตั้งแต่ลำดับที่ยี่สิบแปดเป็นต้นไป พึงจัดกระบวนทัพตามลำดับเป็นชุดละสิบ ๆ ที่นั้นระยะด้านในให้ห่างสองอังคุละ แล้วต่อไปให้ลดเป็นช่วงละหนึ่งอังคุละตามลำดับ
Lord Agni (teaching the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic disciplines to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Standardizing troop/array spacing and stepwise measurement in arranging a battle-formation or drill-ground layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Battle-array spacing by aṅgula (stepwise tens from the 28th position)","lookup_keywords":["vyuha","aṅgula-māna","krama","daśabhiḥ","yuddha-vinyāsa"],"quick_summary":"From a specified stage (the 28th), the formation is laid out in successive groups of ten, with prescribed inner gaps of two aṅgulas and subsequent one-aṅgula intervals, ensuring uniform drill and alignment."}
Concept: Māna (measurement) and krama (sequence) as the basis of effective organization.
Application: Use standardized units and stepwise procedures to reduce error in large coordinated actions (army drill, processions, construction layout).
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Archery, battle-array measurements, weapon-technique)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A commander lays out a battlefield grid with cords and markers, arranging soldiers in successive blocks of ten with visibly measured gaps of two aṅgulas, then one aṅgula, showing a precise geometric formation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, a military drill-ground with a guru-commander holding a measuring cord, soldiers in neat rows, annotated spacing marks, ornamental borders, traditional costumes, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf accents, stylized battlefield diagram as a sacred-royal scene, commander with measuring rod, soldiers in symmetric ranks, gold highlighting on markers and standards, rich maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional tableau of formation layout, visible aṅgula ticks on a measuring staff, grouped tens of soldiers, calm didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed top-down oblique view of a parade ground, precise grid lines, officers measuring intervals, troops in blocks of ten, fine textiles and banners, delicate architectural horizon."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टाविंशतितो = अष्टाविंशतितः; दशभिर्दशभिः = दशभिः दशभिः; द्व्यङ्गुलाभ्यन्तरास्तत्र = द्वि-अङ्गुल-अभ्यन्तराः तत्र; क्रमादेकाङ्गुलान्तराः = क्रमात् एक-अङ्गुल-अन्तराः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: vyuha-lakṣaṇa and māna-prakaraṇa sections (adjacent verses in ch.78)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-style technical guidance on arranging battle order by counted positions and specifying precise spacing using the aṅgula unit (two-aṅgula inner gaps, then one-aṅgula intervals sequentially).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical sciences like Dhanurveda, including quantified battlefield organization and measurement systems—showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge.
While primarily technical, the implied dharmic aim is disciplined, rule-governed conduct in warfare—reducing chaos and harm by following regulated procedure rather than impulsive violence.