Maṇḍala-vyūha (Circle array):

The wings flanks and front side of this array are so close that there remains no space. Three parts turn into one. All the parts want to march every where simultaneously.

Kauṭilya said:

‘pakṣakakṣorasyānām ekībhāve maṇḍalaḥ |’ (10.6 30)^[1]

“When the wings, flanks and centre become one, it is the circle array”.^[2]

This array is two categoris—

1. good on all sides (sarvatobhadra) and
2. invincible (durjaya).

Sarvato bhadra (good on all side): If the attaking come from all four side towards the enemy, this type of Maṇ ḍ ala or circle array is called sarvatobhadra (good on all side)

According to Kauṭilya:

“sa sarvatomukhaḥ sarvatobhadra: || (10.6.31)^[3]

“That with faces on all sides is the ‘good-on-all sides’ durjaya”.^[4]

Here ‘sa’ means Maṇ ḍ ala or circle array.

Durjya (invincible): Which Maṇḍala array or circle array is devided into eight types, they are two centres, a pair of wings and four flanks; and if soldiers attack his enemy through above mentioned each centre and wings are together that is called as aṣṭānīkī (eight division) array. Its another name is durjay (invincible) array.

According to Kauṭilya—

‘aṣṭānīko durjayaḥ’ (10.6.32)^[5]

“That with eight division (or faces) is the “invincible”.

In this respect “when the wings flanks and centre become one, it is the circle array. That with faces on all side is the ‘good-on-all-sides. These are circle Arrays.”^[6]

These two are maṇḍala array—

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

ibid., part-I, p. 242.

[2]:

ibid., part-II, p. 451.

[3]:

ibid., part-I, p.242.

[4]:

ibid., part-II, p. 451.

[5]:

ibid., part-I, p. 242.

[6]:

ibid., part-II, p. 451.