Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
अशुद्धपार्ष्णिर्बलवान् द्वैधीभावं समाश्रयेत् बलिना विगृहीतस्तु यो ऽसन्देहेन पार्थिवः
aśuddhapārṣṇirbalavān dvaidhībhāvaṃ samāśrayet balinā vigṛhītastu yo 'sandehena pārthivaḥ
الملك القويّ الذي يُقال عنه «غير طاهر العقب»—أي غير ثابت الأساس—ينبغي أن يلجأ إلى سياسة الدَّوَيْدْهِيبْهَافا (dvaidhībhāva)، أي التدبير ذي الوجهين. أمّا الحاكم الذي قهرته قوةٌ أشدّ فقد وجب عليه، بلا ريب، أن يخضع ويتصرّف على مقتضى ذلك.
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Decision rule for foreign policy: a strong but insecure king should adopt dvaidhībhāva (dual policy), while one overpowered by a stronger force should submit/comply to preserve the realm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aśuddha-pārṣṇi and Dvaidhībhāva: policy for insecure strength","lookup_keywords":["aśuddha-pārṣṇi","dvaidhībhāva","balavān rājā","parthiva","upāya"],"quick_summary":"When power is present but the base is insecure, use double policy (friendship outward, hostility/hedging inward). When seized by a stronger power, adopt submission/obedience as the safer course."}
Concept: Political realism: policy must match actual power and stability, not mere aspiration.
Application: Adopt dual policy when you can still maneuver; accept subordination when overpowered to preserve people and treasury.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Statecraft and Royal Policy)
Primary Rasa: niti
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-panel concept: (1) a strong king with a shaky base negotiating with one hand while secretly preparing defenses; (2) a weaker king offering tribute to a dominant emperor to avert destruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split narrative register: left—king in council with guarded posture, right—same king offering tribute to a larger crowned overlord; bold outlines, symbolic gestures, banners indicating dual policy.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style diptych: left—king with gold-embellished throne, holding treaty scroll while a hidden dagger symbolizes hedging; right—tribute scene with gold work on crowns and ornaments, emphasizing hierarchy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition with clear separation of ‘dvaidhībhāva’ and ‘submission’, fine lines, subdued colors, inscriptions on scrolls indicating policy names.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed diplomatic court: envoys, treaty documents, subtle intrigue in expressions; second scene of formal submission with gifts, elephants, and guards, architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aśuddhapārṣṇirbalavān = aśuddhapārṣṇiḥ + balavān; vigṛhītastu = vigṛhītaḥ + tu; yo 'sandehena = yaḥ + asandehena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 233 (ṣaḍguṇa: sandhi, vigraha, yāna, āsana, saṃśraya, dvaidhībhāva)
FAQs
It teaches a technical rule of political strategy (dandanīti): when one’s support-base is insecure, adopt dvaidhībhāva (a double policy—outward accommodation with inward preparedness); if already overpowered by a stronger ruler, submit decisively.
Beyond myth and worship, the Agni Purana also preserves practical governance doctrine—classification of diplomatic stances and survival policies for kings—showing its coverage of statecraft alongside ritual, arts, and other sciences.
By urging realistic, duty-bound conduct for rulers (avoiding reckless warfare and choosing appropriate expedients), it supports dharmic kingship—minimizing harm to subjects and preserving social order, which is treated as a king’s primary religious responsibility.