Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 67
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
कक्षाभ्याञ्च प्रतिक्रान्तव्यूहो ऽसह्यः स्मृतो यथा कक्षपक्षावधः स्थप्योरस्यैः कान्तश् च खातकः
kakṣābhyāñca pratikrāntavyūho 'sahyaḥ smṛto yathā kakṣapakṣāvadhaḥ sthapyorasyaiḥ kāntaś ca khātakaḥ
Một đội hình chiến trận rút lui (hoặc quay lại) trong khi được hai sườn (kakṣā) che chở thì được ghi nhớ là ‘bất khả công phá’. Trong cách bày ấy, phải bố trí quân giữ sườn (kakṣa-pakṣa) và quân ngực/lõi trung tâm; đồng thời các viên chức gọi là Kānta và Khātaka cũng phải đặt đúng vị trí của họ.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic disciplines, here Dhanurveda)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Design and deployment of a protected-withdrawal/retrograde vyūha with flank-guards and core troops; assignment of specific officers/units (Kānta, Khātaka).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratikrānta-vyūha with kakṣā protection (unassailable formation)","lookup_keywords":["vyūha","pratikrānta","kakṣā-pakṣa","urasya","kānta","khātaka"],"quick_summary":"A formation that retrogrades while its flanks are protected is deemed hard to assail. Place flank-guards (kakṣa-pakṣa), station the breast/core troops, and assign Kānta and Khātaka officers/units in their proper posts."}
Weapon Type: Mixed arms implied (flank guards, core troops)
Concept: Saṃvidhāna (organization): even retreat can be dhairya-yukta (disciplined) and strategically superior
Application: Command doctrine: avoid panic in withdrawal; preserve cohesion by flank protection and clear role assignment.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Vyūha—battle formations and tactical maneuvers)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A battlefield diagram-like scene: a formation withdrawing in good order, flanks guarded by kakṣā-pakṣa units, a strong central breast/core, with two marked officer positions labeled Kānta and Khātaka.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized troop blocks with banners, clear left-right flank guards, central core, backward movement indicated by repeated footprints, officers highlighted with distinct headgear.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, symmetrical formation with gold-highlighted banners for flank guards, central core in bold, two officer figures (Kānta, Khātaka) emphasized with ornate attire.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: top-down semi-diagram of vyūha with labeled positions, delicate colors, emphasis on orderly retreat and flank screens.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed soldiers moving backward while facing enemy, flank cavalry screening, commanders signaling; marginal cartouches naming kakṣā, pakṣa, Kānta, Khātaka."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कक्षाभ्याञ्च = कक्षाभ्याम् च; व्यूहो ऽसह्यः = व्यूहः असह्यः; स्थप्योरस्यैः = स्थप्यः उरस्यैः; कान्तश् = कान्तः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda: vyūha-nāma and vyūha-vinyāsa lists (same khanda, adjacent verses)
FAQs
This verse teaches a Dhanurveda tactic: a controlled withdrawal/counter-march formation protected by strong flank-guards (kakṣā), with specific placement of core troops and designated officers (Kānta, Khātaka) to keep the array unbreakable.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual beyond theology—preserving technical battlefield doctrine (vyūha design, troop placement, and command roles) alongside its ritual, dharma, and cosmological teachings.
By framing warfare as a regulated science with disciplined formations and proper command, the text implies restraint and order in kingship—supporting rājadharma by minimizing chaos and avoidable harm through methodical conduct in battle.