Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 33
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
राजानं रक्ष निस्त्रिंश सबलं सपुरन्तथा पिता पितामहो देवः स त्वं पालय सर्वदा
rājānaṃ rakṣa nistriṃśa sabalaṃ sapurantathā pitā pitāmaho devaḥ sa tvaṃ pālaya sarvadā
Protect the king, O sword (nistriṁśa); protect also the army and the city. You, the god who is as father and grandfather—ever safeguard them.
Lord Agni (narrating the protective/royal-security instruction within Rajadharma)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"State-protection prayer integrated into governance: safeguarding king, army, and fortified city through weapon-deity invocation; used in royal rites and before campaigns.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājya-rakṣā Invocation to Nistriṁśa (Sword)","lookup_keywords":["rājā-rakṣā","nistriṁśa","sena","pura","pālana"],"quick_summary":"Frames the sword as a divine guardian tasked with protecting the ruler, forces, and city—linking political stability to ritualized protection and readiness."}
Alamkara Type: Ājñā/Prārthanā (imperative prayer) with familial metaphor (pitā–pitāmaha)
Weapon Type: Sword (nistriṁśa)
Concept: Rājadharma as protection (rakṣaṇa) of people and polity; divine guardianship is invoked to sustain order across generations (father/grandfather metaphor).
Application: In governance rituals: recite before council, before marching, and at city-gates/armory; pair with practical measures (discipline, fortification, logistics).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Protection of the Realm)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in the capital with army assembled and city walls behind; a radiant sword-symbol above or before him as a guardian presence, signifying protection of ruler, troops, and fort.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fortified city backdrop, king with attendants, army ranks, hovering nistriṁśa with fiery halo, bold lines and ritual solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, enthroned king with gold-foil regalia, stylized city gate, sword-deity emblem with gold halo, symmetrical royal iconography.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative: king, soldiers, city ramparts; sword held upright as protective standard; labeled elements (rājā, bala, pura).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar scene with troops and city architecture, a symbolic sword standard, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"martial-solemn","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sapurantathā = sa-puram tathā (compound + indeclinable); sabalam, sapuram are tatpuruṣa compounds with saha-meaning; sentence has imperatives rakṣa, pālaya; pitā/pitāmaha/deva are predicate/appositional epithets.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma sections (general governance duties); Agni Purana dhanurveda/āyudha-stuti passages around 268
FAQs
It conveys a protective injunction centered on royal security—guarding the king, the armed forces, and the fortified city—using the sword (nistriṁśa) as the emblem/instrument of protection (a typical Rajadharma–security formulation, sometimes aligned with protective invocation language).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles practical statecraft: this verse reflects governance concerns—security of leadership, military strength, and urban/fort defense—showing the text’s coverage of administrative and strategic priorities alongside ritual and doctrine.
Protecting the king and realm is framed as dharmic preservation: safeguarding social order (rājya-dharma) sustains stability, reduces harm, and supports the conditions for religious practice and prosperity, thereby accruing merit through the maintenance of righteous order.