Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 34
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
योगविज्ञानसत्त्वारूढ्यं महापक्षं प्रियम्वदं आयातिक्षममद्वैधं मित्रं कुर्वीत सत्कुलं
yogavijñānasattvārūḍhyaṃ mahāpakṣaṃ priyamvadaṃ āyātikṣamamadvaidhaṃ mitraṃ kurvīta satkulaṃ
সত্কুলজাত এমন ব্যক্তিকে বন্ধু করা উচিত, যে যোগ ও সত্যজ্ঞান-প্রতিষ্ঠিত, শক্তিশালী পক্ষসমর্থনে দৃঢ়, মধুরভাষী, দুর্দশা সহিষ্ণু, অহংমদহীন এবং অদ্বৈধ—অর্থাৎ দ্বিমনা নয়।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within a Nīti/Rājadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Criteria for selecting trustworthy allies/friends in diplomacy and social conduct: competence, loyalty, resilience, and pleasant speech.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Qualifications of a friend/ally (mitra-lakshana): yogic knowledge, support-base, sweet speech, endurance, humility, single-mindedness","lookup_keywords":["mitra-lakshana","priyamvada","advaidha","ayati-kshama","satkula"],"quick_summary":"Recommends choosing allies from good families who are grounded in knowledge and self-discipline, well-supported, courteous in speech, resilient in adversity, humble, and not double-minded."}
Concept: Friendship as a moral-psychological discipline: choose companions with knowledge, self-mastery, and non-duplicity.
Application: In alliances and close counsel, prioritize character markers (humility, resilience, clarity) over mere advantage.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics of friendship and social conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ruler or noble discerningly choosing a friend/ally: a calm, learned person with modest demeanor, surrounded by supportive companions, speaking sweetly and offering steady counsel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two dignified figures in conversation, one with yogic composure (simple posture, serene face), attendants indicating strong support, warm colors emphasizing harmony and trust","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, two nobles exchanging respectful gestures, gold detailing on garments, subtle symbols of learning (palm-leaf manuscript), composition highlighting humility and sweetness of speech","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic scene: labeled virtues around the ally (sweet speech, endurance, non-duplicity), refined linework, calm interior court setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court garden meeting, refined expressions, a learned ally presenting counsel, small group of supporters behind, delicate flora and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compound segmentation: yogavijñānasattvārūḍhyam as multi-member tatpuruṣa; priyamvadaṃ = priyam+vadaṃ; satkulaṃ = sat+kulaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Niti passages on ministers, allies, and counsel (mantri/mitra selection)
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (practical ethics): criteria for selecting a trustworthy friend—grounded in yoga and discriminative knowledge, supported, pleasant-spoken, patient under adversity, humble, and not deceitful.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves statecraft and social ethics; this verse is a compact Nīti guideline (mitra-lakṣaṇa) relevant to governance and everyday conduct.
Choosing companions of sattva, humility, and steadiness supports dharmic action and mental purity; association with such friends strengthens right judgment and reduces karmically harmful choices arising from pride or deceit.