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
若战阵在两翼侧护（kakṣā）掩护下后撤（或回转），则被记为“不可攻破”。于此布置中，应安置翼侧守卫（kakṣa-pakṣa）与胸部/核心之军；并将名为Kānta与Khātaka之官亦置于其应在之位。
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.