Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
एवमन्ये दर्शनीया उत्पाता बहवो ऽपि च उद्वेजनं तथा कुर्यात् कुहकैर् विविधैर् द्विषां
evamanye darśanīyā utpātā bahavo 'pi ca udvejanaṃ tathā kuryāt kuhakair vividhair dviṣāṃ
وكذلك يمكن إظهار نُذُرٍ مرئية كثيرة أخرى؛ وبالطريقة نفسها يُستثار الاضطراب والهلع في الأعداء بواسطة حِيَلٍ خداعية شتّى.
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"General doctrine of psychological warfare: employ multiple staged, visible 'portents' and tricks to keep opponents unsettled and reactive.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Utpāta-bahutva and Kuha-ka-vidhi for Dviṣām Udvejana","lookup_keywords":["utpāta","kuha-ka","udvejana","dviṣ","māyā"],"quick_summary":"Beyond one method, many visible portents can be staged; varied deceptions maintain sustained agitation in enemies and degrade their confidence."}
Concept: Perception management is cumulative; variety in stratagems sustains fear and confusion.
Application: Design a portfolio of deceptive signals (sound, light, rumor, staged signs) and deploy them unpredictably.
Khanda Section: Utpāta-Śānti and Omens (Nimitta-śāstra / Rājadharma-related portents)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A montage-like depiction of multiple staged omens—strange lights, unusual animal behavior, eerie sounds—while enemy troops grow restless and commanders argue.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural composite scene with symbolic panels: birds, fiery streaks, ominous clouds, frightened soldiers; bold colors and rhythmic arrangement like a temple narrative band","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with ornate border and gold accents highlighting 'omens' (comet, lightning, birds), enemy camp in disarray, dramatic but decorative composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting didactic multi-panel illustration of different kuha-ka tricks producing visible utpātas, with clear separation and explanatory feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature crowded camp scene with multiple simultaneous disturbances—animals, lights, messengers—fine detail showing confusion and fear among ranks"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: evamanye = evam + anye; bahavo 'pi = bahavaḥ + api; kuhakair = kuhakaiḥ; vividhair = vividhaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana continuation of māyopāya examples around 233.8-233.11; Agni Purana utpāta-śānti discussions (how omens are interpreted/neutralized)
FAQs
It frames utpāta-vidyā (knowledge of portents) as observable signs, and additionally notes a practical statecraft technique: creating udvejana (alarm) in enemies through kuhaka (deceptive) methods.
The verse blends nimitta-śāstra (omens) with rājadharma/artha-oriented tactics (psychological disruption of enemies), showing the text’s scope beyond ritual into governance and strategic conduct.
Recognizing portents supports śānti-oriented vigilance and timely corrective action; the mention of deception underscores that worldly conflict can involve unsettling forces, for which one should seek protection and stabilization through dharmic oversight and pacificatory measures.