Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 20
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
क्वापि कस्यापि विश्वासो भवतीह सदा नृणां निश् चयश् च तथा मन्त्रे कार्य एकेन सूरिणा
kvāpi kasyāpi viśvāso bhavatīha sadā nṛṇāṃ niś cayaś ca tathā mantre kārya ekena sūriṇā
En ce monde, les hommes peuvent parfois accorder leur confiance à quelqu’un ; mais en matière de mantra (conseil), une décision ferme doit être menée par un seul sage.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"High-stakes decisions require a single accountable wise executor to avoid diffusion of responsibility and leaks; trust is situational, but counsel demands stricter control.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Trust vs. counsel: single-wise-person execution","lookup_keywords":["viśvāsa","mantra-niścaya","ekaḥ sūrī","decision accountability","secrecy"],"quick_summary":"Trust may be placed at times, but counsel requires firm decision and execution by one wise, responsible person to ensure secrecy and decisiveness."}
Concept: Ekatva-niścaya: concentrated responsibility and clarity in action; skepticism about universal trust.
Application: Assign one trusted, tested strategist/executor for confidential missions; document decision authority; limit dissemination of intent.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Pragmatic counsel on trust, counsel, and secrecy)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lone wise counselor (sūrī) receives a sealed directive from the king while others remain outside; the scene emphasizes singular responsibility and secrecy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king handing a sealed palm-leaf order to one sage-like minister, guards at doorway, strong eye contact, minimal figures, rich reds and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central figures only: king and one counselor with gold halo motifs, ornate seal and manuscript highlighted with gold leaf, symbolic balance scale for judgment","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: one counselor marked as ‘sūrī’ holding a single scroll, others blurred in background, clean lines and calm composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate exchange in a small chamber, detailed seal, inkpot, and ring, counselor departing alone through a guarded archway"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्वापि = क्व + अपि; कस्यापि = कस्य + अपि; भवतीह = भवति + इह; निश् चयश् च = निश्चयः + च; कार्य एकेन = कार्यः + एकेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (Niti: trust, secrecy, ministers)
FAQs
It imparts niti-vidya (statecraft): confidential counsel (mantra) should be handled with single-pointed responsibility—one competent, wise advisor should execute the decision to preserve secrecy and clarity.
Beyond rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also teaches practical Rajadharma—how decisions, advisors, and secrecy function in governance—showing its wide coverage of public policy alongside religious instruction.
By restraining speech and avoiding harmful disclosure, one practices self-control (saṃyama) and non-injury through prudence; such disciplined conduct supports dharma and prevents karmic harm caused by reckless counsel.