Anakshauhini (Sanskrit:अक्षौहिणीakṣauhiṇī) is described in theMahabharata (Adi Parva 2.15-23) as abattle formation consisting of 21,870 chariots (Sanskritratha); 21,870 elephants (Sanskritgaja); 65,610 horses (Sanskritturaga) and 109,350 infantry (Sanskritpada sainyam).[1][2] Thus one akshauhini consisted of 218,700 warriors (not including the charioteers, who didn't fight). The ratio is 1 chariot: 1 elephant: 3cavalry: 5infantry soldiers. In each of these large number groups (65,610, etc.), the digits add up to 18.
It is mentioned in theMahabharata that in theKurukshetra War thePandava army consisted of sevenakshauhinis (1,530,900 warriors), and theKaurava army had elevenakshauhinis (2,405,700 warriors).
The Kuru army is a coalition of 11akshauhinis formed by the kingdom of Hastinapura in alliance with races like theSamsaptakas,Trigartas, the Narayana army, the Sindhu army and Shalya of Madra.[4]
The Pandava army is a coalition of 7akshauhinis, primarily thePanchala andMatsya forces, the Rakshasa forces of Bhima's son, Ghatotkacha and Vrishni–Yadava heroes.[citation needed]
