Vyūhas (battlefield arrangements)—Types

Vyūhas are geometric arrangements in the battlefield, which aim to offend the enemy as well as defend one-self. These battle-arrays are designed with sound reason and logic to achieve success. Various factors play a significant role in the determination of the right vyūha for a particular situation on a given day.These battle-formations are designed gauging the enemy’s as well as one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Nītiprakāśikā classifies these vyūhas into four classes and lists out the sub-divisions. It also throws light on the military nuances relating to the vyūhas which are crucial in the course of a war.

The four basic vyūhas listed are: [Nītiprakāśikā VI. 3]: [...]

1. daṇḍa,
2. bhoga,
3. asamhata and
4. maṇḍala

The further sub-varieties of these four types of vyūhas are also enumerated. They are:

(a) Daṇḍa:

These types of vyūhas are seventeen in number. They are: Pradara, Drḍhaka, Satya, Cāpa, Bhūsvakṣi, Supratiṣṭha, Apratiṣṭha, Śyena, Vijaya, Sañjaya, Viśālavijaya, Sūcī, Sthūna, Akarṇa, Camūmukha, Sukhāsya and Vijaya.

Cf. Nītiprakāśikā VI. 4-5:^[1]

 [...]^[2]

(b) Bhoga:

This battle-array is further classified into five as: Gomūtrikā, Haṃsikā, Sañcārī, Śakaṭa and Karapatanti (Nītiprakāśikā VI. 6):

[...]

(c) Asamhata:

Ardhacandra-kaṭaddhāra, Vajra, Śarkaṭa, Śṛṅgī, Kākapadī and Godhikā are the six sub-divisions of asamhata vyūhas (Nītiprakāśikā VI. 7-8ab):

[...]

(d) Maṇḍala:

Sarvabhadra and Durjaya are the two divisions of maṇḍala vyūhas (Nītiprakāśikā VI. 8cd):

[...]

Apart from these, certain miscellaneous battle-arrays are also enlisted. They are: Vārāhī, Makara, Gāruḍa, Krauñca and Padma. These varied types arise due to the change in the constitution of the vyūha-limbs (Nītiprakāśikā VI. 9):

[...]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Urmi Shah’s edited text reads as: [...]

[2]:

Cf. Kāmandakīya-nītisāra. 35, 43-4: [...]