Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 6
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
राजोवाच किं श्रान्तो ऽस्यल्पमध्वानं त्वयोढा शिविका मम किमायाससहो न त्वं पीवानसि निरीक्ष्यसे
rājovāca kiṃ śrānto 'syalpamadhvānaṃ tvayoḍhā śivikā mama kimāyāsasaho na tvaṃ pīvānasi nirīkṣyase
রাজা বললেন—তুমি কি ক্লান্ত? তুমি তো আমার পালকি অল্প পথই বহন করেছ। তুমি কি পরিশ্রম সহ্য করতে পার না? তোমাকে দেখে তো সবল বলে মনে হয় না।
Raja (the King)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal etiquette and leadership communication: how a king addresses subordinates, tests capacity, and observes bodily signs without immediate punishment.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-vākya: Inquiry into fatigue and fitness of a bearer","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","niti","shivikavahana","shrama-pariksha","raja-vacana"],"quick_summary":"Models a king’s probing speech about a servant’s fatigue and robustness; highlights observation-based assessment and the ethics of questioning before judging."}
Concept: Leadership should inquire and verify (parīkṣā) rather than presume; speech reveals power dynamics and ethical responsibility.
Application: In governance/management, use measured questioning and observation to evaluate capacity and welfare of workers.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Royal conduct and courtly discourse)
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated in a palanquin questions the palanquin-bearer about fatigue, scrutinizing his physique and demeanor in a courtly road setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthy reds and greens, a crowned king in ornate palanquin with attendants, expressive faces, the bearer standing respectfully, palm-leaf landscape, temple-like ornamentation, flat perspective","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the palanquin and royal jewelry, frontal king with stylized eyes, bearer in simple attire, rich maroon background, decorative arch motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft shading, narrative court scene with the king gesturing in inquiry, detailed textiles, restrained gold accents, clear facial expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork, roadside procession with palanquin, king speaking, bearer responding with humility, detailed flora, patterned textiles, naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājovāca = rājā + uvāca; śrānto 'si = śrāntaḥ + asi; tvayoḍhā = tvayā + ūḍhā; kimāyāsasaho = kim + āyāsa-sahaḥ; pīvānasi = pīvān + asi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Nīti sections on rāja-vṛtti and sevaka-parīkṣā (general); Agni Purana Nyāya/Vāda passages on designation (for later verses)
FAQs
It conveys niti (statecraft/etiquette) in practice: a ruler attentively assesses the condition and capacity of a servant/porter during service, emphasizing prudent oversight rather than ritual instruction.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves social and administrative realities—royal travel, service roles (bearing a shivika), and the king’s manner of inquiry—showing its coverage of practical governance and courtly life.
The implied dharmic takeaway is compassionate, responsible leadership: noticing another’s fatigue and speaking appropriately supports righteous conduct (dharma) and reduces harm arising from neglect or harshness.