Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
आत्मनो ऽभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी पीड्यमानः परेण वा देशकालबलोपेतः प्रारभेतेह विग्रहं
ātmano 'bhyudayākāṅkṣī pīḍyamānaḥ pareṇa vā deśakālabalopetaḥ prārabheteha vigrahaṃ
Seeking his own prosperity—or being harassed by an adversary—a ruler, when furnished with suitable place, time, and strength, should here undertake hostilities (vigraha, war).
Lord Agni (teaching statecraft principles in the Agni Purana tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"War-initiation criteria: undertake vigraha only when strategic conditions (desha-kala-bala) are favorable or when compelled by enemy harassment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Desha–Kala–Bala Criterion for Vigraha","lookup_keywords":["desha","kala","bala","vigraha","rajadharma"],"quick_summary":"A ruler should commence hostilities either to secure prosperity or to stop oppression, but only when terrain, timing, and strength align. This frames war as conditional and strategic, not impulsive."}
Concept: Justifiable force is bounded by prudence and capability; action should be timely and proportionate.
Application: Before escalation, assess environment, timing, and capacity; if compelled by aggression, respond when conditions favor success and minimize harm.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Governance, statecraft, conflict and policy)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ruler studies maps and seasonal signs with generals; troops assemble only after favorable omens of time and terrain, showing disciplined preparation for war.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with generals pointing to stylized landscape map, elephants and infantry in orderly rows, banners, emphasis on ritualized readiness, bold outlines, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king and commander under ornate arch with gold leaf, miniature map and weapons displayed, troops in background, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: three panels labeled desha-kala-bala (terrain, season, strength), king consulting ministers, careful shading and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, war council in pavilion, cartographic scroll, generals with spears and standards, distant camp scene, meticulous textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आत्मनो ऽभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी = आत्मनः + अभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी; अभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी = अभ्युदय + आकाङ्क्षी; देशकालबलोपेतः = देश + काल + बल + उपेतः; प्रारभेतेह = प्रारभते + इह.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (sandhi–vigraha measures); Agni Purana dandaniti discussions on punishment and war
FAQs
It imparts a Dandanīti/Rājadharma rule for initiating war: begin vigraha only when the motive is legitimate (self-advancement or defense from oppression) and when strategic prerequisites—deśa (ground), kāla (timing), and bala (power)—are favorable.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance doctrine—decision-criteria for conflict—showing its coverage of polity, strategy, and applied ethics alongside ritual and myth.
It frames warfare as a regulated duty rather than impulse: action should be grounded in necessity and preparedness, reducing adharmic violence and aligning the ruler’s conduct with dharma-based responsibility.