Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
कामाधीनाः स्त्रियो राम तदर्थं रत्नसङ्ग्रहः सेव्यास्ता नातिसेव्याश् च भूभुजा विषयैषिणा
kāmādhīnāḥ striyo rāma tadarthaṃ ratnasaṅgrahaḥ sevyāstā nātisevyāś ca bhūbhujā viṣayaiṣiṇā
„Frauen stehen unter der Macht des Begehrens (kāma), o Rāma; ihretwegen wird Schmuck und Edelstein gehortet. Ein König, der weltliche Genüsse sucht, darf mit ihnen verkehren, doch soll er sich nicht in Übermaß verlieren.“
Lord Agni (instructing a royal addressee framed as ‘Rāma’ within nīti/rajadharma counsel)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Court ethics and risk-management: regulate royal indulgence, prevent fiscal drain and political vulnerability arising from uncontrolled sensuality and luxury expenditure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Regulation of Royal Indulgence: Consort, Do Not Overindulge","lookup_keywords":["kāma","ratna-saṅgraha","rājā","ati-sevā","viṣaya-eṣin"],"quick_summary":"The verse warns that desire can drive luxury hoarding and excess. A king may engage in pleasures but must avoid overindulgence to preserve judgment, treasury, and stability."}
Concept: Indriya-nigraha (restraint of senses) as a prerequisite for rulership; kāma must be bounded by prudence.
Application: Set personal limits, avoid compulsive luxury spending, and maintain impartiality in household relations to prevent corruption and factional capture.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Guidance for Kings and Worldly Governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in a jeweled chamber with heaps of gems; a sage cautions him, gesturing toward a balanced scale showing ‘kāma’ and ‘rājadharma’, implying moderation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace interior with jewel chests, king seated, sage admonishing with raised hand, symbolic balance scale, stylized attendants, restrained yet vivid palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, opulent jewel hoard with gold-leaf sparkle, king and sage in profile, ornate arch, moralizing gesture of restraint, rich textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic court scene: king reaching toward jewels, sage stopping him, clear facial expressions, minimal background clutter, emphasis on instruction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed treasury room with gemstones, sage advising king, attendants holding trays, subtle narrative tension, fine ornament and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sevyāstā→sevyāḥ tāḥ; nātisevyāś→na ati-sevyāḥ; viṣayaiṣiṇā→viṣaya-eṣiṇā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nīti sections on indriya-jaya, treasury protection, and avoidance of vyasana (vices)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (statecraft/ethical governance) focused on regulating kāma (desire): a ruler may engage in worldly relations but must avoid excess that destabilizes judgment and administration.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical governance literature (rajadharma/nīti), offering behavioral policy for rulers—showing its wide scope across dharma, politics, and social conduct.
Moderation (niyama) in sense-enjoyment is presented as protective of dharma: restraint reduces attachment-driven actions that generate adverse karma and helps a king uphold righteous rule.