Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
स्वाम्यमात्यञ्जनपदा दुर्गं दण्दस्तथैव च कोषो मित्रञ्च धर्मज्ञ सप्ताङ्गं राज्यमुच्यते
svāmyamātyañjanapadā durgaṃ daṇdastathaiva ca koṣo mitrañca dharmajña saptāṅgaṃ rājyamucyate
হে ধর্মজ্ঞ! রাজ্যের সাত অঙ্গ বলা হয়েছে—স্বামী (রাজা), অমাত্য (মন্ত্রী), জনপদ (প্রজা ও দেশ), দুর্গ (দুর্গ/কেল্লা), দণ্ড (দমনশক্তি/সেনা ও দণ্ডনীতি), কোষ (রাজকোষ), এবং মিত্র (মিত্ররাষ্ট্র)।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"State assessment and governance planning using the seven-limbed model: evaluate strength/weakness across ruler, ministers, territory/people, fort, coercive power, treasury, and allies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Saptanga-rajya (seven limbs of the state)","lookup_keywords":["saptanga","svami","amatya","durga","danda-kosha-mitra"],"quick_summary":"A kingdom functions through seven interdependent limbs—sovereign, ministers, territory/people, fort, coercive authority, treasury, and allies—each requiring cultivation for stability."}
Concept: The state is an organism with limbs; governance is holistic, not single-factor.
Application: Create a ‘saptanga audit’: leadership integrity, ministerial competence, public welfare, fort/security, law enforcement/army discipline, fiscal health, and diplomatic network.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Statecraft and Governance)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic ‘seven-limbed kingdom’ shown as a royal figure with seven labeled supports: king at center, ministers beside, map of territory, fort, army/punishment staff, treasury chest, and allied kings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic composition: central crowned king with seven surrounding emblems (minister scroll, people/fields, fort gate, danda staff, treasure pot, ally king), bold contours and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, icon-like state diagram: king with gold halo, seven ornate icons around, heavy gold work on treasury and fort motifs, symmetrical layout","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart scene: court teacher pointing to seven emblems on a board, refined lines, subdued palette, emphasis on clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical court painting: king seated with ministers, soldiers, treasurer, envoy of ally, fort in background, countryside vignette, detailed realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाम्यमात्यञ्जनपदा = स्वामी + अमात्य + जनपदाः (समाहार/सूची-समासवत् संधि); दण्दस्तथैव = दण्डः + तथा + एव; मित्रञ्च = मित्रम् + च; राज्यमुच्यते = राज्यम् + उच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma continuation on protecting the ruler as root (224.12); Agni Purana fortification guidance (224.9) and diplomacy (224.10)
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma/statecraft knowledge by defining the saptāṅga model: the seven operational constituents required for a functioning kingdom—ruler, ministers, populace/territory, fortifications, coercive power (daṇḍa), treasury, and alliances.
Alongside ritual and theological material, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance theory comparable to classical nīti/artha traditions, showing its wide scope that includes administration, security, finance, diplomacy, and legal enforcement.
By framing governance as dharma-informed, it implies that just administration—especially the proper use of daṇḍa and protection of subjects—supports righteous order (dharma) and yields merit to the ruler through welfare and stability of society.