Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
कुर्वीताभिमुखान् भृत्यैर् देवान् सुकृतकर्मणा सद्भावेन हरेन्मित्रं सम्भ्रमेण च बान्धवान्
kurvītābhimukhān bhṛtyair devān sukṛtakarmaṇā sadbhāvena harenmitraṃ sambhrameṇa ca bāndhavān
Con ayuda de los servidores, debe uno propiciar a los dioses mediante obras meritorias bien realizadas; debe ganarse a los amigos con sincera benevolencia, y tratar a los parientes con respetuosa deferencia.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Household/state management: coordinate attendants for ritual/merit, maintain alliances through goodwill, and sustain kin networks through respectful etiquette.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Propitiation by Sukṛta and Social Bond Maintenance (Mitra-Bandhu)","lookup_keywords":["bhritya","sukrita-karma","deva-arpana","mitra","bandhava"],"quick_summary":"With attendants, perform meritorious acts to propitiate the gods; win friends by genuine goodwill and honor kinsmen with respectful attention."}
Concept: Prosperity and stability arise from coordinated righteous action (sukṛta) and from nurturing social bonds with sincerity and respect.
Application: Delegate duties to staff for rituals/charity; practice consistent friendliness (sadbhāva) in alliances; observe kinship etiquette (sambhrama) in visits and ceremonies.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti / Social Conduct and Household-State Ethics)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A well-run household/court: attendants arrange offerings for a small shrine; the master greets a friend warmly and receives kinsmen with respectful hospitality.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic shrine with lamps and offerings arranged by attendants, central figure extending respectful greeting to kinsmen, stylized architecture and bright palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, household deity shrine with gold ornamentation, attendants holding trays, central patron greeting a friend with garland, rich gold work and textiles","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of attendants preparing pūjā items, host showing sambhrama to relatives, soft shading and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, mansion interior with servants preparing ritual trays, host embracing a friend, relatives seated with honor, intricate carpets and arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kurvīta+abhimukhān→kurvītābhimukhān; haret+mitram→harenmitram.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 237 (householder/kingly conduct); Agni Purana dāna and yajña-related guidance (elsewhere in dharma sections)
FAQs
It teaches practical niti: propitiate the Devas through properly performed meritorious actions (sukṛta-karma), cultivate allies through sincere goodwill (sadbhāva), and maintain family harmony through respectful conduct (sambhrama).
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves applied dharma—rules of social and political ethics (rajadharma/nīti) that govern relationships with gods, friends (alliances), servants, and kin.
By aligning action (sukṛta), intention (sadbhāva), and reverence (sambhrama), one accrues merit, sustains dharmic relationships, and creates conditions for harmony and auspicious outcomes in this life and beyond.