Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
प्रजाः समनुगृह्णीयात् कुर्यादाचारसंस्थितिं वाक् सूनृता दया दानं हीनोपगतरक्षणं
prajāḥ samanugṛhṇīyāt kuryādācārasaṃsthitiṃ vāk sūnṛtā dayā dānaṃ hīnopagatarakṣaṇaṃ
ينبغي له أن يلازم الإحسان إلى الرعية وأن يثبتهم على الآچارَة (السلوك القويم)؛ وليكن كلامه صادقًا لطيفًا؛ وليعمل بالرحمة وبالدّانا (الصدقة)، وليحمِ من سقطوا أو ضعفوا أو حُرموا.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Governance guideline for a ruler: welfare orientation, moral regulation, gentle truthful communication, charity, and protection of vulnerable groups.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājadharma: Welfare, Sadācāra-Establishment, and Protection of the Weak","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","prajā-anugraha","ācāra-saṃsthiti","dāna","rākṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Outlines the king’s operational duties: favor subjects, establish right conduct, speak gently and truthfully, give charity, and protect the deprived. Practical takeaway: state legitimacy rests on welfare, ethics, and safeguarding the vulnerable."}
Concept: Kingship as guardianship (rakṣā) and moral stewardship (ācāra-saṃsthiti), not mere power; speech ethics as instrument of governance.
Application: Policy lens: prioritize welfare schemes, ethical education, truthful public communication, institutional charity, and special protection for the weak/disabled/impoverished.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Kingship, Governance, Protection of Subjects)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in audience hall listens to petitions, gives alms, issues orders to establish right conduct, and shelters the weak—orphans, the poor, and the infirm—while speaking gently.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dharmic king on throne with parasol, ministers beside, supplicants including elderly and poor; the king’s hand in varada-mudrā, guards shown non-threatening; warm ochres and greens, temple-like pillars.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with ornate crown and gold leaf, offering coins and cloth to a needy family, inscription panels for dāna and dayā, symmetrical composition with rich decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative sequence in one frame: (1) king addressing council with gentle speech, (2) establishing ācāra via proclamation, (3) protecting a fallen person; fine detailing and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene with precise textiles, the king leaning forward compassionately, scribes recording decrees, a poor petitioner receiving aid; architectural depth and delicate border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादाचारसंस्थितिम् = कुर्यात् + आचारसंस्थितिम्; हीनोपगतरक्षणम् = हीन + उपगत + रक्षणम् (समास/सन्धि)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma and daṇḍanīti discussions in adjacent sections; Agni Purana: Dāna chapters (charity as royal duty)
FAQs
It imparts Rajadharma: practical statecraft ethics—benevolent governance, establishing public moral discipline, truthful-gentle speech, charity, and protection of the vulnerable.
Beyond ritual and theology, it codifies civic ethics and welfare duties of rulers, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance, social order, and public protection as part of dharma.
Compassion, truthful speech, charity, and protecting the helpless are dharmic acts that generate merit (puṇya), uphold social harmony, and reduce harm (hiṃsā), aligning rulership with righteous karma.