War in Ancient India c9.s4.20

c9.s4.20

These vyūha varieties are also mentioned in the *Agnipurāṇa*.⁸² According to it, even a small body of soldiers, if drawn up in pin-like array, could hold its own against odds. Though every array mentioned was practically drawn up in five parts, yet all of them were not engaged at one and the same time. Usually one or two divisions were in active service, while the rest were kept in reserve to meet emergencies. But if the central division of the main portion of the vyūha was broken, then it was time to order a general retreat.⁸³ Kāmandaka names from Bṛhaspati the seven limbs of a vyūha, and from Śukra five limbs, and concludes by saying that there are seventeen varieties of daṇḍa vyūha, two varieties of maṇḍala, six of asamhata, and five of bhoga. These should be used in accordance with place and time by expert leaders who have a practical and working knowledge of them.⁸⁴