Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
सामसाध्या अतथ्यैश् च गृह्यन्ते राक्षसा अपि तथा तदुप्रकाराणां कृतानाञ्चैव वर्णनं
sāmasādhyā atathyaiś ca gṛhyante rākṣasā api tathā taduprakārāṇāṃ kṛtānāñcaiva varṇanaṃ
Even rākṣasas, too, can be brought under control by sāma (conciliation) and also by atathya (deceptive/false statements); and there is likewise a description of the various methods and the procedures that are performed for that purpose.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s standard narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/counter-sorcery operations: methods to pacify, bind, or control hostile spirit-classes (rakshasas) using conciliatory approach and strategic deception, with procedural variants.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rakshasa-sadhana via Sama and Atathya (Abhichara/Protective Methods)","lookup_keywords":["राक्षस","सामसाध्य","अतथ्य","राक्षस-कल्प","अभिचार"],"quick_summary":"The text notes that even rakshasas may be controlled through conciliatory measures and, where required, deceptive speech; it points to a catalog of method-variants and performed procedures for such aims."}
Weapon Type: Non-physical coercion (mantra/abhichara as force-multiplier)
Concept: Prayoga-vicitra: multiple procedural variants exist for controlling harmful entities; speech (sama/atathya) is treated as an operative tool within ritual strategy.
Application: As a textual principle: in protective rites, select method according to target nature and context; prioritize pacification where possible, escalating to stronger measures only as prescribed by tradition.
Khanda Section: Rakshasa-kalpa / Abhichara-prayoga (Protective and counter-sorcery rites; spirit-classes and their pacification/capture)
Primary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist within a protective circle performs a pacifying rite; nearby a fierce rakshasa is shown being calmed or bound; offerings and mantra-scrolls indicate procedural methods; the scene balances conciliation and coercion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night-ritual ambiance with deep reds and blacks, ritualist in white cloth inside a circular yantra-like boundary, fierce rakshasa at edge subdued, lamps and offerings, stylized flames and bold outlines, temple-threshold setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central ritualist with gold-highlighted lamps and offering vessels, rakshasa rendered in dramatic posture but restrained by sacred circle, ornate border, gold embossing on ritual implements and halo-like aura of protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of protective circle, offerings arranged neatly, ritualist showing mudra, rakshasa outside boundary, labeled implements on scroll motifs, soft colors with precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal courtyard with oil lamps, a learned practitioner with manuscripts, a fantastical rakshasa figure partially subdued, attendants watching, detailed textiles and vessels, subtle chiaroscuro."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सामसाध्याः (साम+साध्याः; समास/संयोग); अतथ्यैः+च → अतथ्यैश् च (विसर्ग/श्च-आदेश); तत्+उपप्रकाराणाम् → तदुप्रकाराणां (त्+उ→दु); कृतानाम्+च+एव → कृतानाञ्चैव (म्+च→ञ्च; च+ए→चै).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rakshasa-kalpa/Abhichara sections detailing prayogas, bandhana, uchchatana, shanti, and protective rites (adjacent chapters); Agni Purana Niti sections on sama and atathya as upaya (same khanda)
FAQs
It outlines an upāya-based technique: rākṣasas may be restrained through sāma (pacification/conciliation) and through atathya (strategic deception), indicating variant sub-methods and performed procedural steps.
It treats pragmatic ritual-technology—classification of methods, subtypes, and procedural performance—showing the Purana’s manual-like coverage of protective rites alongside its broader theology and dharma.
The verse frames harmful-being control as a regulated procedure; when used for protection and restoration of order (dharma), it is presented as a legitimized remedial act rather than mere aggression.