Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 34
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
जनानुरागप्रभवा राज्ञो राज्यमहीश्रियः
janānurāgaprabhavā rājño rājyamahīśriyaḥ
Die Souveränität des Königs und der große Wohlstand seines Reiches entspringen der Zuneigung und dem Wohlwollen des Volkes.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Public administration: legitimacy and prosperity depend on popular goodwill; prioritize welfare, justice, and communication to sustain consent and stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Janānurāga as the Source of Rājya-Śrī (Royal Prosperity)","lookup_keywords":["janānurāga","rājya","mahīśrī","rājā","praja"],"quick_summary":"A king’s sovereignty and the realm’s prosperity arise from the people’s affection. Practically, governance must be people-centered to secure stability and wealth."}
Concept: Rājya-śrī is prajā-prasāda-janita: political power is rooted in the people’s goodwill, not mere force.
Application: Rule through dharma: fair taxation, protection, relief in calamities, accessible justice, and honoring local customs to maintain public affection.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in open audience (darbar) receiving citizens; prosperity symbols (granaries, fields) flourish behind, indicating that goodwill sustains sovereignty.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king under a parasol in a pillared hall, villagers offering petitions with respectful affection, lush paddy fields and full granaries in background, bold outlines and saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with gold-embossed crown and halo, citizens in orderly line, gold detailing on throne and ornaments, prosperity motifs like overflowing pots and sheaves of grain","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined court audience with emphasis on governance—scribes, tax records, justice scales—soft palette, subtle gold, citizens smiling to show janānurāga","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed darbar with diverse subjects, careful rendering of textiles and architecture, background vignette of thriving markets and farms to signify mahīśrī"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जनानुरागप्रभवाः = जन(षष्ठी बहु) + अनुराग(षष्ठी एक) + प्रभवाः (बहुवचन विशेषण); राज्यमहीश्रियः = राज्य + मही + श्रियः (समाससदृश-समुच्चयः; प्रायः ‘राज्य-मही-श्रियः’ इति बहुवचनम्)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (Rajadharma/Nīti principles); Agni Purana 225 (duties of kings; effort and results)
FAQs
It teaches a core principle of rājadharma: durable royal authority and prosperity depend on cultivating popular goodwill (janānurāga) through just and beneficial governance.
Beyond ritual and theology, it records practical political theory—linking legitimacy and economic flourishing to public consent—showing the text’s wide coverage of governance alongside other sciences.
A ruler who earns subjects’ affection through dharmic conduct accrues merit and stability, while neglecting the people undermines both worldly fortune (śrī) and righteous standing.