Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
राजा प्राप्य देवेशन्तु देशपालन्तु पालयेत् देवानां पूजनं कुर्यान्न छिन्द्यादायमत्र तु
rājā prāpya deveśantu deśapālantu pālayet devānāṃ pūjanaṃ kuryānna chindyādāyamatra tu
إذا نال الملك السيادة، فعليه أن يحمي ربَّ الآلهة وحُرّاسَ الأرض. وعليه أن يقيم عبادة الآلهة، وألا يُنقِص هنا ما لهم من إيرادٍ مشروع (أوقاف/مستحقات).
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Governance principle: protect divine order and territorial guardians; maintain temple worship and do not cut lawful endowments/revenues assigned to deities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Rāja-dharma: Protection of deities/land-guardians and safeguarding temple revenues","lookup_keywords":["raja-dharma","devapuja","deshapala","devadravya","ayama"],"quick_summary":"A king must uphold worship and protect sacred institutions; he should not reduce or confiscate legitimate revenues dedicated to deities and their establishments."}
Concept: Sacral legitimacy of kingship: sovereignty is sustained by protecting dharma, temples, and rightful religious endowments.
Application: State policy should preserve religious trusts and public sacred services; avoid fiscal predation on dedicated funds.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Duties of the King)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmic
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, newly enthroned, performs deity worship and issues orders protecting land-guardians and temple endowments; scribes record grants while priests conduct rites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enthroned king beside a temple sanctum, priests with lamps and conch, a kṣetrapāla figure at the boundary, palm-leaf grant being presented, warm earthy palette and ritual solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with gold crown offering at a shrine, gold-leaf aura around the deity, attendants holding grant plates, emphasis on prosperity and sanctity of endowments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear administrative tableau: king, minister, scribe, priest; a document of revenue protection; temple courtyard setting, fine lines and subdued colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene with king issuing a farman protecting temple revenues, priests present, architectural backdrop of a shrine and city boundary guardian, intricate court detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: deveśantu = deveśam tu; deśapālantu = deśapālam tu; kuryānna = kuryāt na; chindyādāyam = chindyāt āyam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma sections on donations, temple worship, and protection of dharma (adjacent to 235)
FAQs
It teaches statecraft linked to ritual policy: the king must uphold regular deity-worship and protect established divine/territorial guardians, specifically by maintaining (not cutting) their assigned revenues or endowments.
Alongside ritual instruction, it gives administrative guidance on governance—how a ruler should support religious institutions and public cults through protected revenue streams—showing the text’s coverage of both dharma and practical political economy.
Sustaining worship and not obstructing the gods’ rightful income is presented as righteous kingship; it preserves dharma, supports sacred rites, and accrues religious merit while avoiding the demerit of harming established divine service.