Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
स्वसमृद्धिष्वित्यादिः, मीनव्रतचरिष्णुतेत्यन्तः ज पुस्तके नास्ति राज्याङ्गानां वरं राष्ट्रं साधनं पालयेत् सदा कुलं शीलं वयः सत्त्वं दाक्षिण्यं क्षिप्रकारिता
svasamṛddhiṣvityādiḥ, mīnavratacariṣṇutetyantaḥ ja pustake nāsti rājyāṅgānāṃ varaṃ rāṣṭraṃ sādhanaṃ pālayet sadā kulaṃ śīlaṃ vayaḥ sattvaṃ dākṣiṇyaṃ kṣiprakāritā
“Beginning with ‘in one’s own prosperity …’ and ending with ‘… one who observes the fish-vow (mīna-vrata)’—this portion is not found in the ‘ja’ manuscript. The realm (rāṣṭra) is the foremost among the limbs of a kingdom; one should always protect the means (resources and instruments) that sustain it—considering lineage, conduct, age, steadfast character, generosity, and swift execution as qualifying factors.”
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Raja-niti: prioritize protection of the rāṣṭra (territory/realm) and its sustaining resources; use a merit-screen (kula, śīla, vayaḥ, sattva, dākṣiṇya, kṣiprakāritā) for selecting/assessing key personnel and policies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rāṣṭra as the foremost state-limb and qualifying factors for governance","lookup_keywords":["rashtra","rajanga","sadhana","kula-shila-vayah","kshiprakarita"],"quick_summary":"Treat the realm and its sustaining instruments as the primary concern of kingship; protect resources continuously and evaluate capability through lineage, conduct, maturity, steadiness, generosity, and swift execution."}
Concept: Rāṣṭra-rakṣaṇa as the king’s foremost duty; governance depends on sustaining means (sādhana) and tested virtues.
Application: Policy: secure agriculture, treasury, roads, forts, and public order; HR: appoint officials by observable virtues and performance (esp. swift execution with generosity and steadiness).
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council points to a map-like depiction of the realm and granaries/treasury; scribes list virtues (kula, śīla, vayaḥ, sattva, dākṣiṇya, kṣiprakāritā) as criteria for selecting officers; guards stand by storehouses and boundary markers.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, a crowned king seated on a low throne with ministers, palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized granary and boundary posts behind, inscriptions of virtues in Devanagari-like script, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf throne and ornaments, king with halo-like prabhā, ministers presenting a scroll listing virtues, gold-highlighted treasury chests and grain heaps, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional court scene with labeled virtues on a scroll, subdued palette, emphasis on orderly administration and resource protection","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with accountants and scribes, map/ledger on carpet, realistic granary and fort in background, fine textiles and architectural arches, emphasis on governance and selection criteria"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Verse contains editorial/prose notes at beginning; analyzed metrical list from “rājyāṅgānāṃ … kṣiprakāritā”. Sandhi: rājyāṅgānām = rājya+aṅgānām.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma/ Nīti sections on rājāṅga, amātya-guṇa, daṇḍa, kośa, durga, bala
FAQs
It teaches rājadharma-oriented statecraft: the realm (rāṣṭra) is treated as the foremost limb of the kingdom, and the ruler must continually safeguard the sustaining resources (sādhanas), while weighing administrative suitability through qualities like conduct, character, generosity, and prompt execution.
Alongside ritual and religious material, it preserves pragmatic political theory—ranking state-components (rājya-aṅga), emphasizing territorial welfare (rāṣṭra), and listing governance-relevant virtues—showing the Purana’s coverage of law, administration, and ethics.
By protecting the realm and governing through ethical qualities (śīla, dākṣiṇya) and responsible action, a ruler fulfills dharma, generating merit through the protection and welfare of subjects—an act treated as a righteous duty rather than mere policy.