Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
आन्वीक्षिकीं त्रयीं वार्तां दण्डनीतिं च पार्थिवः तद्वैद्यैस्तत्क्रियोपैतैश्चिन्ततयेद्विनयान्वितः
ānvīkṣikīṃ trayīṃ vārtāṃ daṇḍanītiṃ ca pārthivaḥ tadvaidyaistatkriyopaitaiścintatayedvinayānvitaḥ
A king should reflect upon Ānvīkṣikī (critical inquiry/philosophy), the Trayī (the Vedic triad), Vārtā (economics and livelihood), and Daṇḍanīti (the science of punishment and governance), with the help of experts in those fields who are equipped with their proper methods of practice, and he should do so with humility and discipline.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Curriculum for kingship: consult domain experts and systematically study the four vidyās—critical inquiry, Vedic dharma, economics, and governance/punishment—while maintaining humility and discipline.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caturvidyā-vicāra for the King (Ānvīkṣikī–Trayī–Vārtā–Daṇḍanīti)","lookup_keywords":["ānvīkṣikī","trayī","vārtā","daṇḍanīti","vinaya"],"quick_summary":"A king should deliberate on the four sciences with qualified experts and proper methods. Humility and disciplined conduct are prerequisites for correct application in policy and rule."}
Concept: Right governance depends on structured knowledge systems (four vidyās) and on vinaya (humble discipline) in learning and execution.
Application: Establish a council of specialists (philosopher-logician, Vedic jurist/priest, economic administrator, legal/police chief); require written methods, periodic review, and the king’s personal study schedule.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Statecraft and the Four Vidyas)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in a council hall consulting four experts seated in quarters: a logician with debate beads (ānvīkṣikī), a Vedic scholar with śruti manuscripts (trayī), a merchant-agronomist with scales and grain (vārtā), and a magistrate with staff and law tablet (daṇḍanīti); the king bows slightly in humility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical council scene with four advisors around the king, each with distinct attributes (manuscript, yajña ladle, scales, daṇḍa), decorative pillars, warm tones and stylized faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central king with gold arch, four advisors in panels, heavy gold leaf on manuscripts and regalia, icon-like clarity of the four vidyās, rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional court diagram feel: four labeled vidyās with their experts and tools, fine linework, subdued palette, emphasis on method (kriyopāya) and vinaya posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with scholars and officials, realistic objects (account books, palm-leaf texts), architectural depth, the king listening attentively with modest demeanor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वैद्यैस्तत्क्रियोपैतैश्चिन्ततयेद्विनयान्वितः = तद्वैद्यैः + तत्क्रियोपेतैः + चिन्तयेत् + विनयान्वितः; तत्क्रियोपैतैः = तत् + क्रिया + उपेतैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma discussions on counsel, ministers, and daṇḍa (same thematic run near 237)
FAQs
It prescribes the king’s curriculum as the four core sciences—Ānvīkṣikī (reasoned inquiry), Trayī (Vedic/ritual knowledge), Vārtā (economy and production), and Daṇḍanīti (law and administration)—to be learned through qualified experts using proper practical methods.
By placing philosophy, Vedic tradition, economics, and political jurisprudence side-by-side as essential royal knowledge, it showcases the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary scope—linking ritual authority, rational analysis, material prosperity, and governance into one integrated handbook.
The verse frames humble, disciplined learning as a dharmic duty of rulership: governance becomes ethically grounded when guided by Vedic norms, reasoned deliberation, and expert counsel—supporting righteous rule and reducing adharma arising from ignorance or arrogance.