Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
सेना पदातिबहुला शत्रून् जयति सर्वदा अङ्गसक्षिणभागे तु शस्तं प्रस्फुरणं भवेत्
senā padātibahulā śatrūn jayati sarvadā aṅgasakṣiṇabhāge tu śastaṃ prasphuraṇaṃ bhavet
Ang hukbong sagana sa impanterya ay laging nagwawagi laban sa mga kaaway. Bukod dito, kung ang sandata (o ang bisig na may hawak nito) ay kumikibot o tumitibok sa kanang panig ng katawan, ito’y itinuturing na mabuting palatandaan.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Force-composition guidance (infantry emphasis) and battlefield omen-reading (right-side throbbing/quiver as auspicious) for decision-making before engagement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Padati-bahulya and Dakshina-sphuraṇa Shakuna","lookup_keywords":["padati bahula sena","infantry superiority","dakshina sphurana","shastra prasphurana","battle omen"],"quick_summary":"An infantry-heavy army is said to be consistently victorious; additionally, right-side quivering of the weapon/arm is treated as an auspicious battlefield omen."}
Weapon Type: General ‘śastra’ (hand-weapon) and the bearer’s arm; infantry arms implied
Concept: Nimitta (signs) and bala (force-structure) jointly inform successful action.
Application: Combine material preparedness (infantry strength) with situational reading (omens) to time engagement.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda / Rajadharma (Military omens and battlefield prognostics)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield-preparation moment: infantry ranks dominate the scene while a warrior notices a right-side quiver in his weapon arm, interpreted as auspicious by an attendant/omen-reader.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic infantry lines with shields and spears, a central warrior holding a weapon with subtle motion lines at the right arm, an omen-reader gesturing auspiciously, bold reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central warrior with ornate weapon, gold accents on armor and standards, infantry massed behind, a small auspicious-sign vignette highlighting the right-side throbbing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: labeled right-side omen, infantry-heavy formation shown in neat ranks, restrained palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed infantry array, commander in foreground observing his right arm/weapon, courtly realism with an astrologer/soothsayer indicating good fortune."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्गसक्षिणभागे (IAST aṅgasakṣiṇabhāge) पाठभेद/लिप्यन्तरदोष सम्भाव्यः; अर्थतः ‘अङ्ग-दक्षिण-भागे’ (right side of the body) ग्रहणम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (Yatra-adhyaya: omens and campaign conduct); Agni Purana 228 (Svapna-vidya as another nimitta domain)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurvedic/nimitta guidance: infantry-heavy formations are stated to be consistently victorious, and right-side weapon/limb twitching is taught as an auspicious battlefield omen.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft and military knowledge—here, tactical preference (infantry strength) and omen-based decision support used in war planning.
It frames victory as aligned with dharmic signs (nimittas): auspicious bodily indications are treated as signals of favorable destiny, encouraging rulers to act in accord with perceived cosmic order.