Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 36
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
त्वं राजा सर्वलोकस्य पितुः पुत्रो रिपोरिपुः पत्न्याः पतिः पिता सूनोः कस्त्वां भूप वदाम्यहं
tvaṃ rājā sarvalokasya pituḥ putro riporipuḥ patnyāḥ patiḥ pitā sūnoḥ kastvāṃ bhūpa vadāmyahaṃ
আপুনি সৰ্বলোকৰ ৰজা—পিতাৰ পুত্ৰ, শত্রুৰো শত্রু, পত্নীৰ পতি আৰু পুত্ৰৰ পিতা। হে ভূপ, মই কোন যে আপোনাক উপদেশ বা বৰ্ণনা কৰোঁ?
Unspecified courtly speaker (a subordinate/minister/poet addressing the king) within Agni Purana’s Rajadharma–nīti context
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Raja-niti: cultivating humility and role-ethics in governance; reminding a ruler that authority is relational (to subjects, family, enemies) and bounded by dharma.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rajan as relational identity (role-ethics and humility)","lookup_keywords":["raja-dharma","pita-putra-bhava","ripu-ripu","svadharma","vinaya"],"quick_summary":"Kingship is framed through relational duties—protector of subjects, family roles, and strategic opposition to enemies—tempered by humility about instruction and self-importance."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka/Anuprasa (ripu-ripu) with role-parallelism
Concept: Authority is defined by dharmic relationships, not ego; the instructor adopts humility to make the king receptive.
Application: In counsel to leaders, emphasize duties and relational accountability; reduce ego to enable learning and ethical rule.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Kingship, polity, and ethics of rule)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A learned Brahmin counselor addresses a seated king in court, enumerating the king’s roles—protector of people, son, husband, father—ending with a gesture of humility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a crowned king on a low throne with parasol, a Brahmin sage with white beard and sacred thread speaking with folded hands, attendants and palm-leaf manuscripts, emphasis on expressive eyes and flat decorative background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king richly jeweled on throne with arch, gold-leaf highlights on crown and ornaments, Brahmin counselor in simple white with kamandalu, inscription-like role-phrases suggested as decorative border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, court interior with pillars, counselor pointing gently while bowing, manuscript on a stand, subdued colors and delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar scene with patterned carpets, the king in profile listening, the Brahmin counselor respectfully gesturing, fine textile detail and architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रिपोरिपुः = रिपोः + रिपुः; कस्त्वाम् = कः + त्वाम्; वदाम्यहम् = वदामि + अहम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on kingly conduct, ministers, and punishment (danda); Agni Purana teachings on humility and dharma in discourse contexts
FAQs
This verse imparts nīti/rajavidyā: a political-ethical framing of the king’s identity as protector of all, defender against enemies, and upholder of household and lineage responsibilities.
By embedding concise maxims about kingship and social roles, it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond ritual—into governance, ethics, and statecraft (rajadharma), a key encyclopedic domain alongside rites, medicine, and arts.
It elevates righteous rule as a dharmic duty: when the king protects society and restrains hostility, he supports social order (dharma), accruing merit through just guardianship rather than mere power.