Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Other Sources on Vyuhas’ of the study on the Nitiprakasika by Vaisampayana which deals primarily with with Dhanurveda, i.e., the science of war, weapons and military strategies of ancient Indian society. It further contains details on Niti-shastra, i.e., the science of politics and state administration but most verses of the Nitiprakashika deal with the classification and description of different varieties of weapons, based on the four groups of Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta and Mantramukta.
Other Sources on Vyūhas
Arthaśāstra
Arthaśāstra (10. 6. 3-39) gives a broad four-fold division and then presents the sub-divisions as well:
(1) Daṇḍa–Pradara, Dṛdhaka, Asahya, Śyena, Cāpa, Cāpakukṣi, Prathiṣṭha, Suprathiṣṭha, Sañjaya, Vijaya, Sthūṇakarṇa, Viśālavijaya, Camūmukha, Sūcī, Jhaṣāsya, Valaya, Durjaya.
(2) Bhoga–Sarpasārī, Gomūtrikā, Śakaṭa, Makara, Pāripatantaka.
(3) Maṇḍala–Sarvatobhadra, Durjaya.
(4) Asaṃhata–Vajra,Godha, Kākapadī, Karkaṭaśṛṅgī.
Agnipurāṇa
Agnipurāṇa (242. 49-59) classifies vyūhas into three types and gives their detailed classification–
(1) Maṇḍala–Sarvatobhadra, Durjaya, Ardhacandraka, Vajra, Ūrdhvaṅga, Karkaṭaśriṅgi, Kākapadī, Godhikā.
(2) Bhoga–Gomūtrikā, Sañcārī, Śakaṭa, Makara, Pāripavaṅgaka.
(3) Daṇḍa–Pradara, Dṛḍhaka, Asahya, Cāpa, Kukṣi, Pratiṣṭha, Supratiṣṭha, Śyena, Vijaya, Sañjaya, Viśālavijaya, Sūcī, Sthūṇakarṇa, Camūmukha, Sarpākṣya, Valaya, Durjaya, Sthūṇapakṣa, Dhanupakṣa.
Manusṃṛti
Manusṃṛti (VII. 187) classifies vyūhas into six types namely- Śyena, Makara, Sūcī, Cakra, Vyāla [Vyālam] and Sarvatobhadra [Sarvatobhadraṃ]:
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Śukranīti
Śukranīti (IV. 278-83)[1] classifies the vyūhas in the following fashion as–Śyena, Śakaṭa, Sūcī, Cakra, Krauñca and Sarvatobhadra [Sarvatobhadram].
These definitions make it clear that from a basic type further additions or modifications lead to the formation of a unique new vyūha. These conversions arise as a result of creativity and geometric sense of the leaders.
According to Agnipurāṇa, Ardhacandraka and Ūrdhvāṅga vyūhas are formed by combining different divisions of Vajra vyūha. When 3, 4 and 5 units of soldiers are placed on the Vajravyūha, Karkaṭaśṛṅgi, Kākapadī and Godhikā are formed in order. Cakra and Padma vyūhas are modifications of Maṇḍala vyūha. Moreover, it says that, partial or full modification of this vyūha gives rise to Ardhacandra, Sarvatobhadra, Acala and Śṛṅgāra types. The reverse of Śakaṭa is Amara vyūha(that which conquers all enemies).
Manustates that the reverse of Varāha formation is Makara vyūha. Kauṭilya states that the reverse of Camūmukha is Jhaṣāsya.
Footnotes and references:
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