Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
नायकः पुरतो यायात् प्रवीरपुरुषावृतः मध्ये कलत्रं स्वामी च कोषः फल्गु च यद्बलं
nāyakaḥ purato yāyāt pravīrapuruṣāvṛtaḥ madhye kalatraṃ svāmī ca koṣaḥ phalgu ca yadbalaṃ
Ang pinunong kumandante ay dapat magmartsa sa unahan, napaliligiran ng mga bayaning napatunayan; sa gitna naman ilagay ang sambahayan (mga asawa), ang panginoon (hari/amo), at ang kabang-yaman; at pati ang anumang mahina ang lakas ay ilagay doon upang mapangalagaan.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Designing a protected marching order: place command and shock elements forward, while shielding non-combatants, treasury, and weaker units in the center to prevent panic and loss of resources.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Marching Order: Protection of King, Treasury, and Weak Units","lookup_keywords":["nayāka","madhya-vyavasthā","koṣa (treasury) protection","pravīra-parivāra","marching order"],"quick_summary":"Keep the commander and proven fighters at the front; place the ruler, household, treasury, and weaker elements in the protected middle to preserve morale and assets during movement."}
Concept: Raksha (protection) of the vulnerable and of state wealth as a prerequisite for victory.
Application: In any expedition—military or logistical—place critical assets and vulnerable members in the safest zone and assign proven protectors to the most exposed positions.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military science and battle-array guidance)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined army column on the move: the commander at the front encircled by elite heroes; in the center a protected cluster with the king, royal household, and treasury carts; weaker troops sheltered within.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat yet vivid colors, commander leading vanguard with heroic attendants, central protected royal group with treasury chest and attendants, stylized forest and banners, traditional ornamentation, symmetrical procession","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on royal insignia and treasury chest, commander and heroes in front, king and household in the middle under parasol, rich textiles, jewel tones, frontal iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional clarity of marching order, labeled positions (vanguard/center), subdued palette with ornate borders, emphasis on hierarchy and spacing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed marching column with realistic horses and guards, central palanquin/royal canopy and treasury carts, fine landscape depth, crisp uniforms and standards"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रवीरपुरुषावृतः = प्रवीर-पुरुष-आवृतः; यद्बलं = यत्-बलम् (द् + ब → द्ब).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda khanda: vyuha-vyavastha sections around 241.5–241.8
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurvedic marching protocol: the commander leads from the front with elite guards, while vulnerable persons, the ruler, and the treasury are kept in the protected center.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical statecraft and military logistics—how to move an army safely, protect assets, and manage risk—showing the text’s coverage of governance and warfare alongside ritual knowledge.
It aligns kingship with dharma by emphasizing protection of dependents and public wealth; safeguarding the vulnerable and the treasury is treated as righteous conduct that supports social order.