Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 69
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
कक्षपक्षौरस्यैर् भोगो विषयं परिवर्तयन् कोटिभ्यां परिकल्पयेदिति घ , ञ च सर्पचारी गोमूत्रिका शर्कटः शकटाकृतिः
kakṣapakṣaurasyair bhogo viṣayaṃ parivartayan koṭibhyāṃ parikalpayediti gha , ña ca sarpacārī gomūtrikā śarkaṭaḥ śakaṭākṛtiḥ
کَکش، پَکش اور اُرَس کی حرکات سے مقابلے کی لکیر کو گھماتے ہوئے ‘بھोग’ نامی پلٹاؤ وار کیا جائے؛ اس کی حدیں دو ‘کوٹی’ (دو سِرے) سے مقرر ہوں۔ ان میں سرپ چاری، گو مُوترِکا، شرکٹ اور شکٹاکرتی جیسے نامیانہ حربی انداز شامل ہیں۔
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Infantry/cavalry maneuvering: executing turning sweeps and named marching patterns to rotate the engagement line while keeping endpoints secured.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gati/Chāra: Sarpa-cārī, Go-mūtrikā, Śarkaṭa, Śakaṭākṛti maneuvers","lookup_keywords":["sarpa-cari","go-mutrika","shakata-akriti","sharkata","kaksha-paksha-uras"],"quick_summary":"Defines how to pivot the fighting line using flank/wing/front movements and names four standard maneuver-patterns used to confuse, envelop, or reorient against an opponent."}
Weapon Type: Bow (archery corps) with supporting infantry/cavalry movement
Concept: Orderly collective motion converts chaos into advantage; form (ākṛti) governs function in battle.
Application: Use named patterns as standardized commands so troops can execute complex turns under stress.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery & Military Science) — Gati/Chāra (maneuvers) and Vyūha (formations)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A commander signals a pivoting battle-line: two endpoints hold firm while the center swings, forming serpent, cow-urine curve, crab-like sidestep, and cart-shaped marching patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style battlefield drill scene, flat vibrant colors, stylized soldiers with bows and shields, commander gesturing, troops forming serpentine and cart-shaped lines, palm-leaf green ground, temple-mural ornament borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a royal commander instructing troops, gold-leaf highlights on armor and standards, troops arranged in sarpa-cārī and śakaṭākṛti patterns, rich reds and greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting instructional diagram-meets-scene: clear troop blocks labeled kakṣa/pakṣa/uras, arrows showing parivartana pivot, delicate linework and muted palette, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a tactical maneuver on an open plain, fine detailing of ranks, banners marking the two koṭi endpoints, curved formations like go-mūtrikā, birds-eye perspective with courtly precision"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षपक्षौरस्यैर् = कक्ष-पक्ष-उरस्यैः (द्वन्द्व + तृतीया बहुवचन); शकटाकृतिः = शकट-आकृतिः; ‘परिवर्तयन्’ कृदन्तः (शतृ) ‘भोगः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणवत्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 241 (Dhanurveda: gati/chāra and vyūha-lakṣaṇa sections)
FAQs
It teaches Dhanurveda technique: how to execute a turning sweep of the battle line using flank/wing/chest movement, and it names standard tactical patterns such as sarpa-cārī, go-mūtrikā, śarkaṭa, and śakaṭākṛti.
By cataloging named maneuvers and formation-shapes with technical vocabulary, it preserves practical military science (movement doctrine and array design) alongside the Purana’s broader religious and cultural topics.
Indirectly, it supports the kṣatriya-duty (rājadharma) of protecting society through disciplined, rule-based conduct in war, framing tactical knowledge as part of dharmic governance rather than mere violence.