Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
कुर्वीतात्सहिताङ्क्षी परिचारं महीपतिः वाग्मी प्रगल्भः स्मृतिमानुदग्रो बलवान् वशी
kurvītātsahitāṅkṣī paricāraṃ mahīpatiḥ vāgmī pragalbhaḥ smṛtimānudagro balavān vaśī
Le seigneur de la terre (le roi) doit prendre pour serviteur un homme vigilant et coopératif, éloquent, assuré, attentif à ses devoirs, énergique, fort et maître de lui-même.
Lord Agni (instructional narration in Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Personnel selection for royal service: appoint attendants/aides who are cooperative, vigilant, eloquent, confident, duty-mindful, energetic, strong, and self-controlled—key for reliable execution and security.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ideal royal attendant (paricāra) qualifications","lookup_keywords":["parichara","vagmi","pragalbha","smritiman","vashi"],"quick_summary":"Choose close aides by competence and restraint: cooperative vigilance, persuasive speech, confident initiative, reliable memory of duties, vigor, strength, and self-control."}
Concept: Nīti as applied psychology: proximity to power requires combined skill (vāk) and restraint (vaśitā) with dependable memory and vigor.
Application: HR protocol: test aides for cooperative temperament, communication skill, stress behavior, recall of instructions, physical fitness, and impulse control; rotate duties to prevent complacency.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Kingship / Niti)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king appoints an attendant after tests: the candidate demonstrates eloquence before ministers, performs a vigilance watch, recalls instructions from a scroll, shows strength in controlled training, and maintains calm self-restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, appointment scene with king and candidate, panels showing speech test, night watch with lamp, memory test with palm-leaf, disciplined strength training; bold outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ceremonial appointment with gold embellishments, candidate holding a scroll, guards and ministers, gold-highlighted weapons kept sheathed to show restraint, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence: eloquence, vigilance, memory, fitness, self-control; fine linework, labeled attributes, calm court setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace interior, candidate demonstrating rhetoric to courtiers, later shown in guard duty and training yard; realistic faces, textiles, and architectural perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kurvītātsahitāṅkṣī = kurvīta + sahitāṅkṣī (t/danda in IAST reflects euphonic joining in transmission); vāgmī = vāk + mī (k + m → gm); smṛtimānudagro = smṛtimān + udagraḥ (n + u → nu).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on amātya/servant qualities, dūta qualities, and court organization
FAQs
Administrative and governance guidance: criteria for selecting a king’s attendant—vigilance, cooperation, eloquence, confidence, attentiveness, vigor, strength, and self-restraint.
It shows the Purana’s coverage beyond ritual into statecraft (rajadharma), detailing practical standards for court administration and personnel selection.
Right appointment supports dharmic rule: disciplined and virtuous service helps maintain social order, reducing harm from negligence and promoting righteous governance.