Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 27
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
नानादेश्यैः समाकीर्णो धार्मिकः पशुमान् बली ईदृक्जनपदः शस्तो ऽमूर्खव्यसनिनायकः
nānādeśyaiḥ samākīrṇo dhārmikaḥ paśumān balī īdṛkjanapadaḥ śasto 'mūrkhavyasanināyakaḥ
যে জনপদ নানা দেশের লোকজনে পরিপূর্ণ, ধর্মপরায়ণ, পশুধনে সমৃদ্ধ ও বলবান—এবং যার নেতা না মূর্খ, না ব্যসনের দাস—সে দেশ প্রশংসনীয়।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"State assessment: criteria for a prosperous, stable janapada and the ethical-psychological qualification of its ruler (avoidance of folly and addictions).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Lakshana of a Shasta Janapada (Commendable Realm)","lookup_keywords":["janapada-lakshana","dharmika-rajya","pashuman","bala","avyasana-nayaka"],"quick_summary":"A good realm is diverse and populous, righteous, well-provisioned in livestock, and strong; it becomes especially praiseworthy under a leader free from stupidity and vice."}
Concept: Prosperity and strength are to be grounded in dharma and in the ruler’s self-mastery (freedom from vyasana).
Application: Governance ethics: cultivate personal discipline; appoint leaders screened for addiction/vice; measure realm health by dharmic conduct and productive assets.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and the qualities of a good kingdom)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A thriving kingdom with mixed regional peoples, cattle herds, granaries, and a composed king seated in council, symbolizing dharmic strength and sobriety.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, a dharmic king in sabha with ministers, diverse townsfolk and cattle in the background, palm trees and temple town ambience, ornate borders, traditional facial features.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned king with halo-like arch, gold leaf detailing on throne and ornaments, attendants and cattle wealth depicted in panels, rich reds and greens, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, courtly council scene with labeled attributes (dharma, bala, pashu), soft shading, instructional feel, minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with diverse regional costumes, cattle and market scene beyond palace terrace, fine textiles, naturalistic faces, delicate flora, balanced perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्तो ऽमूर्ख… = शस्तः + अमूर्ख… (visarga before vowel → ’). ईदृक्जनपदः = ईदृक् + जनपदः (k + j sandhi). नानादेश्यैः treated as नाना + देश्यैः (semantic split; written together).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on kingly virtues and vyasana-tyaga; Agni Purana chapters on janapada/rajya-sampat
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma criteria for evaluating a state: demographic vitality (diverse population), dharmic conduct, economic base (livestock wealth), military/administrative strength, and a ruler free from folly and addictions.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical political science: it defines measurable markers of a stable kingdom and the moral qualifications of leadership, aligning prosperity with ethics and governance capacity.
A dharmic realm led by a self-controlled, non-addicted ruler supports righteous living for the populace; such governance reduces collective harm (adharma) and increases merit (puṇya) through social order, protection, and ethical prosperity.