Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 21
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
आयत्याञ्च तदात्वे च दोषसञ्जननं तथा अपरिज्ञातवीर्येण परेण स्तोभितो ऽपि वा
āyatyāñca tadātve ca doṣasañjananaṃ tathā aparijñātavīryeṇa pareṇa stobhito 'pi vā
It produces faults both in the future and in the immediate present; likewise, even when one is provoked or incited by another whose true strength has not been ascertained, one should not act rashly.
Lord Agni (teaching Niti/Rajadharma to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Operational counsel: do not retaliate when provoked by an opponent whose true capability is unknown; verify strength and consequences across time before committing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aparijñāta-vīrya-para Provocation: Rule of Non-Rash Response","lookup_keywords":["aparijñāta vīrya","stobhita","provocation","tadātva āyati doṣa","nīti counsel"],"quick_summary":"Faults arise both immediately and later from rash acts. Even if incited, one should not act against an adversary without first ascertaining their real strength."}
Concept: Kṣamā and viveka in action: provocation is not a sufficient cause for action; knowledge (parijñāna) must precede force.
Application: Institutionalize reconnaissance and counsel: require verified reports on opponent’s resources before punitive steps; treat provocation as possible deception.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Governance, counsel, and practical ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An enemy messenger taunts at the gate; the king restrains an eager general while spies bring reports and maps to assess the opponent’s true strength.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of fortress gate scene, messenger gesturing provocatively, king calm with raised hand of restraint, spies with palm-leaf notes, stylized horses and banners, śānta-vīra balance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of king stopping a sword-bearing commander, gold-leaf accents on armor and throne, a map scroll and spy reports depicted, dramatic yet controlled posture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional war-council, detailed map and troop icons, minister pointing to ‘bala-parīkṣā’ notes, soft colors, emphasis on measured decision","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a court with a bold envoy, generals in armor, detailed cartography on carpet, attendants holding dispatches, refined expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आयत्याञ्च = आयत्याम् + च; स्तोभितोऽपि = स्तोभितः + अपि (visarga→o before vowel).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on spies (cāra), envoys (dūta), and assessing bala; Agni Purana Nīti maxims on anger-control and deliberation
FAQs
Niti-vidya (statecraft/ethics): do not act under provocation, especially when the opponent’s true strength is unknown, because rash action generates faults immediately and later.
It exemplifies the Purana’s inclusion of practical governance and political ethics (Rajadharma/Niti) alongside religious and ritual material—guidance for decision-making, conflict management, and public conduct.
Restraint and discernment prevent doṣa (blame/negative karmic consequence) in both present actions and future results, aligning conduct with dharma rather than impulse.