Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
बालो वृद्धो दीर्घरोगस् तथा बन्धुवहिष्कृतः मौरुको भीरुकजनो लुब्धो लुब्धजनस् तथा
bālo vṛddho dīrgharogas tathā bandhuvahiṣkṛtaḥ mauruko bhīrukajano lubdho lubdhajanas tathā
Ein Kind, ein Greis, einer, der an langwieriger Krankheit leidet, und einer, der von seinen Verwandten verstoßen wurde; ebenso ein Tor, ein Ängstlicher, ein Gieriger und einer, der mit Gierigen Umgang pflegt.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Governance risk-screening: identify persons unfit for sensitive roles (witnessing, counsel, confidential missions) due to vulnerability, incapacity, or corrupting associations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Categories of Vulnerable/Unreliable Persons (Governance-Ethics)","lookup_keywords":["bala","vriddha","dirgharoga","lubdha"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists types of persons whose judgment or reliability may be compromised—by age, illness, social exclusion, fearfulness, folly, greed, or greedy company—useful for legal-ethical and administrative filtering."}
Concept: Dharma in governance includes discerning competence and susceptibility; association (sanga) shapes conduct.
Application: In appointments and legal processes, assess capacity (age/health), independence (not ostracized or fearful), and integrity (not greedy or in greedy circles).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Nyaya (Governance and legal-ethical classification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister presents a roster to the king; around them are small portraits: a child, an elderly man, a sick person on a cot, an outcast turned away by relatives, a fool, a timid man shrinking back, a greedy man clutching coins, and a group of greedy companions whispering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with the king and minister in a palace; eight circular vignettes showing the listed person-types with clear gestures (fear, greed, illness); traditional lamp-lit ambience and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style central king with gold arch; below, embossed medallions of the eight types—child, elder, chronic patient, ostracized man, fool, timid man, greedy man with coins, greedy group; jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as an instructional chart: labeled figures in neat rows with fine brushwork; minister holding a manuscript; emphasis on clarity and didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature administrative scene: wazir shows a register; marginal portraits of the eight categories; delicate facial expressions for fear and greed; detailed textiles and court setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dīrgharogas = dīrgha + rogaḥ; bhīrukajano = bhīruka + janaḥ; lubdhajanas = lubdha + janaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma lists of amatyadosha (ministerial defects) and durjana-lakshana (bad men); Agni Purana Nyaya-related classifications of persons fit/unfit for testimony or office (contextual)
FAQs
It provides a governance/legal-ethical classification: a practical list of persons considered unsuitable for certain responsibilities or proceedings due to incapacity (age/illness), social disrepute (kin-ostracism), or character flaws (folly, cowardice, greed, and greedy association).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs administrative and juridical norms; this verse functions like a dharma-legal screening checklist, showing the text’s wide scope across ethics, social policy, and statecraft.
It underscores dharmic prudence: entrusting duties to the capable and virtuous prevents harm and injustice, while avoiding greed-driven counsel reduces adharma and the karmic burden that follows from unfair or reckless decisions.