Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 25
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
त्वं राजा शिविका चेयं वयं वाहाः पुरःसराः अयञ्च भवतो लोको न सदेतन्नृपोच्यते
tvaṃ rājā śivikā ceyaṃ vayaṃ vāhāḥ puraḥsarāḥ ayañca bhavato loko na sadetannṛpocyate
‘আপুনি ৰজা, এই শিৱিকা (পালকি), আমি আগত চলা বাহক, আৰু এই আপোনাৰ লোকসমূহ’—এই কথা যথাৰ্থ নহয়; ৰজাৰ বিষয়ে এনেদৰে (আত্মশ্লাঘাময়) কোৱা উচিত নহয়।
Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in a didactic Rajadharma/nīti passage)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Trains rulers and officials in humility and non-identification with office; discourages self-exalting speech that strengthens अहंकार and weakens just governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rajadharma: Avoidance of Self-exalting Designations (‘I am king…’)","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","niti","ahamkara","king humility","retinue/palanquin"],"quick_summary":"A king should not indulge in inflated self-referential speech (‘I am king; these are my bearers/retinue’), since such statements are not ultimately proper and foster ego and injustice."}
Alamkara Type: Drishtanta (illustrative example)
Concept: Role (raja, vaha, parivara) is conventional and contingent; clinging to it as absolute truth is improper and breeds अहंकार.
Application: For leaders: speak and act as trustee/servant of dharma; institutionalize humility (listening councils, accountability, restraint in titles and privileges).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti-shastra / Governance and Ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated in a palanquin with bearers and attendants; a wise counselor indicates that such labels are conventional and warns against pride.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palanquin procession with king, bearers, and retinue; a sage-counselor at the side raising a teaching hand, expressions emphasizing humility, rich reds/ochres, temple mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king in ornate palanquin with gold work, bearers in rhythmic pose, counselor-sage with palm-leaf admonition, heavy gold embossing on royal ornaments and palanquin canopy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative: counselor pointing to the palanquin and bearers as ‘roles’, king shown listening with softened posture, fine linework, minimal background for didactic focus.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed royal procession with textiles and parasols, a learned advisor speaking near the palanquin, subtle satire of pomp, intricate faces and architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेयं = च इयम्; अयञ्च = अयम् च; सदेतत् = सत् एतत्; नृपोच्यते = नृप उच्यते
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Niti sections (governance ethics and kingly conduct); Agni Purana 379.22-24 (ego vs Self; applied here to political identity)
FAQs
This verse imparts nīti-vidyā (practical political-ethical instruction): a ruler should avoid false, ego-driven self-description based on external trappings (palanquin, attendants) and cultivate restrained, truthful speech.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and specialized sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves statecraft and ethics. This verse exemplifies its Rajadharma layer—guidance on how a king should think and speak—showing the text’s wide coverage of public life and governance.
By discouraging pride and untruthful self-exaltation, the instruction supports dharmic kingship: humility and truthful speech reduce pāpa (demerit) arising from arrogance and harm caused by domineering conduct, strengthening righteous rule.