Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
हीनेन विग्रहः कार्यः स्वयं राज्ञा बलीयसा तत्रापि शुद्धपार्ष्णिस्तु बलीयांसं समाश्रयेत्
hīnena vigrahaḥ kāryaḥ svayaṃ rājñā balīyasā tatrāpi śuddhapārṣṇistu balīyāṃsaṃ samāśrayet
বলৱান ৰজাই নিজে হীনৰ সৈতে বিগ্ৰহ কৰিব লাগে; তথাপি তাতো শুদ্ধপাৰ্ষ্ণি (নিৰ্দোষ আচৰণসম্পন্ন) ব্যক্তিয়ে বলৱানৰ আশ্ৰয় ল’ব লাগে।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma/rajanīti section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rule for initiating conflict based on power differential, plus ethical-pragmatic counsel: even amid aggression, persons of clean conduct should align with the stronger side for protection and stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vigraha Against the Weaker; Refuge with the Stronger (Śuddha-pārṣṇi)","lookup_keywords":["hīna","balīyān","vigraha","śuddha-pārṣṇi","samāśraya"],"quick_summary":"A stronger king may wage war against a weaker; yet a person of unimpeachable conduct should seek refuge with the stronger power to avoid ruin and uphold order."}
Concept: Śuddha conduct (integrity) must be paired with prudent shelter (āśraya) in unstable political conditions.
Application: For ministers, guilds, and border chiefs: maintain integrity, but choose protective alignment with the stronger authority to preserve life, order, and dharma.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, diplomacy, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A powerful king prepares for war against a weaker neighbor; alongside, a ‘śuddha-pārṣṇi’ (upright counselor/subject) respectfully seeks refuge at the stronger king’s court.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, left: strong king with army standards facing smaller fort, right: virtuous figure with folded hands entering the stronger king’s palace, traditional flat perspective and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, strong king enthroned with gold work, war banners in background, a righteous petitioner at the steps, ornate jewelry and gilded arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, two-part instructional scene: ‘Balīyān vs Hīna’ power comparison and ‘Samāśraya’ refuge gesture, clear labeling and refined brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic preparation for campaign with elephants and artillery-like details, contrasted with a quiet court audience where an upright man seeks asylum, rich architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्रापि→तत्र+अपि; शुद्धपार्ष्णिस्तु→शुद्धपार्ष्णिः+तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: duties of king and ministers; protection (rakṣā) and punishment (daṇḍa); Agni Purana sections on sadvṛtta (good conduct) in governance
FAQs
It gives rāja-nīti guidance: a stronger ruler may initiate conflict against a weaker opponent, and prudent, upright agents should align with the stronger side (samāśraya) to ensure stability and success.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied governance—policy on war, power asymmetry, and alliance-making—showing it functions as a compendium of practical statecraft (rajadharma/rajanīti).
By stressing “śuddhapārṣṇi” (spotless conduct) and proper reliance, it frames political action as dharmically bounded: success and legitimacy arise from ethical loyalty and choosing righteous, stable support rather than opportunism.