Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Prātyahika-Rāja-Karma
Daily Duties of a King
शास्त्राणि चिन्तयेद् दृष्ट्वा योधान् कोष्ठायुधं गृहं अन्वास्य पश्चिमां सन्ध्यां कार्याणि च विचिन्त्य तु
śāstrāṇi cintayed dṛṣṭvā yodhān koṣṭhāyudhaṃ gṛhaṃ anvāsya paścimāṃ sandhyāṃ kāryāṇi ca vicintya tu
Habiendo inspeccionado a los guerreros, el arsenal o depósito de armas y la casa (establecimiento), debe reflexionar sobre los śāstras; y, tras realizar la observancia del crepúsculo vespertino (paścimā sandhyā), debe también deliberar sobre los asuntos que han de hacerse.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Daily administrative-military inspection (troops, armoury, establishment) combined with śāstra reflection and evening sandhyā, followed by planning next actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daily rāja-dina-caryā: troop/armoury inspection, śāstra-cintana, paścimā sandhyā, task deliberation","lookup_keywords":["yodha-parīkṣā","koṣṭhāyudha","gṛha","śāstra-cintana","paścimā sandhyā"],"quick_summary":"Inspect personnel and resources, study guiding treatises, perform evening sandhyā, and then deliberate on pending duties—linking readiness, learning, and ritual discipline."}
Weapon Type: Koṣṭhāyudha (armoury weapons in store)
Concept: Integrated life of action and restraint: governance and military preparedness are grounded in śāstra-guided reflection and sandhyā observance.
Application: Create an evening protocol: inspect troops and armoury, review policy/war manuals, perform sandhyā, then finalize next-day actions and priorities.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Daily discipline for rulers/warriors; military administration and conduct)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or commander tours a training ground inspecting warriors, then visits an armoury with racks of weapons, returns to the palace to study śāstras, performs evening sandhyā at sunset, and finally consults on pending tasks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative band: warriors lined with shields and bows; armoury with stylized weapon racks; king reading palm-leaf manuscripts; sunset sandhyā with water offering; bold colors and rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal figure with gold-ornamented attire; background armoury with gleaming weapons; small inset of sandhyā at sunset with golden sky; rich gold work on arms and throne elements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: labeled scenes of yodha inspection, koṣṭhāyudha inventory, śāstra study desk, and sandhyā posture facing west; fine detailing and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic palace complex: courtyard with troops, adjacent armoury room, quiet library chamber, terrace at sunset for sandhyā; intricate architecture and naturalistic dusk sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चिन्तयेद् → चिन्तयेत् (द्/त् लिप्यन्तर); अन्यत्र सन्धि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhanurveda chapters on weapons and military organization; Agni Purana: Rajadharma on daily duties and inspections; Agni Purana: Sandhyā/pūjā observance passages
FAQs
It prescribes a ruler/commander’s disciplined routine: inspect troops and the weapons storehouse, study relevant śāstras, perform the evening sandhyā, and then plan pending duties—linking military readiness with ritual regularity.
In a single instruction it integrates multiple domains—statecraft (kārya-vicāra), military logistics (yodha and āyudha-koṣṭha inspection), and daily religious practice (sandhyā)—showing how the text blends governance, war-science, and ritual conduct.
By placing sandhyā and śāstra-reflection alongside administrative action, it frames governance as dharmic service: ritual purity and mindful deliberation are treated as supports for righteous, non-negligent action.