Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
युद्धयात्रा (Yuddhayātrā) — The War-Expedition
निमित्ते शकुने धन्ये जाते शत्रुपुरं व्रजेत् पुनर्जित्वेति ग , घ , ज च तैर् वृत्वा इति साधुः सम्भूतान्तःकोपदमिति ख , छ च पदातिनागबहुलां सेनां प्रावृषि योजयेत्
nimitte śakune dhanye jāte śatrupuraṃ vrajet punarjitveti ga , gha , ja ca tair vṛtvā iti sādhuḥ sambhūtāntaḥkopadamiti kha , cha ca padātināgabahulāṃ senāṃ prāvṛṣi yojayet
若现吉祥之鸟兆（śakuna-nimitta），当进军至敌之城堡；既克敌后，当再行回师（若干传本如是）。宜先择定并编列诸军，然后出行。雨季之时，当部署以步兵与战象为多的军队。
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework of Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Campaign-planning rule: march on enemy fort upon auspicious bird-omens; arrange/select forces appropriately; in rainy season prefer infantry- and elephant-heavy deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śakuna-Guided March and Seasonal Force Composition (Prāvṛṣi Pādāti–Nāga Bahulā Senā)","lookup_keywords":["śakuna-nimitta","enemy fort march","prāvṛṣ","pādāti","nāga (elephants)"],"quick_summary":"Proceed to the enemy stronghold when auspicious bird-omens arise; array forces suitably, and in the rainy season field an army rich in infantry and elephants for terrain and mobility constraints."}
Weapon Type: Elephants (nāga) and infantry (pādāti) as emphasized arms; other arms implied by 'arraying forces'.
Concept: Right action (yātrā) is conditioned by kāla (season) and nimitta (omens); prudence lies in adapting composition and timing.
Application: Plan campaigns with a matrix: omen clearance + season/terrain; choose arms accordingly (rain: infantry/elephants).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Military omens and campaign-planning)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Fort/Stronghold (enemy)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Auspicious omen-bird appears as the army sets out toward an enemy fort; commanders arrange ranks; monsoon clouds and wet terrain show why infantry and elephants dominate the column.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: monsoon sky, omen-bird perched on banner; elephants and foot-soldiers in rhythmic procession toward a stylized fort; bold outlines and saturated greens/blues.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central king/commander with gold-leafed standard; auspicious bird above; richly adorned elephants and infantry; enemy fort in background with gilded accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical depiction of rainy-season deployment—infantry blocks and elephant files labeled; fort approach route; soft colors, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: rain-washed landscape with detailed elephants, footmen, and commanders; omen-bird in sky; distant fort with battlements; fine naturalistic rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tair → taiḥ; samartho 'smi-type visarga restoration applied where relevant; śatrupuraṃ → śatru-puram; editorial sigla (ga/gha/ja/kha/cha) treated as non-lexical indeclinables.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 227 (śakuna and yātrā rules, adjacent verses)
FAQs
It teaches applied shakuna-nimitta (bird-omen interpretation) for deciding when to begin a campaign, and gives a seasonal (monsoon) guideline for force-composition—favoring infantry and elephants.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves pragmatic statecraft: omen-based decision-making, battlefield logistics, and season-specific deployment—typical of its Rajadharma/Dhanurveda-style compendious coverage.
By acting in harmony with auspicious signs and proper order (dharma-informed prudence), the ruler is portrayed as minimizing adharmic harm and securing victory through disciplined, righteous governance rather than impulsive aggression.