Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
उच्छिद्यमानो बलिना निरुपायप्रतिक्रियः कुलोद्धतं सत्यमार्यमासेवेत बलोत्कटं
ucchidyamāno balinā nirupāyapratikriyaḥ kuloddhataṃ satyamāryamāseveta balotkaṭaṃ
Lorsqu’on est écrasé par une puissance plus forte, sans remède ni contre-mesure possible, qu’on s’attache à un noble de haute naissance et d’influence—véridique et honorable—puissant par la force.
Lord Agni (in instruction on nīti/rajadharma, traditionally narrated to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Crisis governance: when overwhelmed by a stronger power and lacking countermeasures, seek protection under a powerful, high-born, truthful, and honorable patron to preserve lineage and polity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃśraya under Duress: Taking Refuge with a Noble Protector","lookup_keywords":["ucchidyamāna","nirupāya","saṃśraya","ārya satya","balotkaṭa"],"quick_summary":"If crushed by superior force with no viable remedy, choose refuge under a powerful noble of good birth and proven integrity; survival through honorable patronage is preferable to futile resistance."}
Concept: Choosing righteous protection over reckless self-destruction
Application: In defeat, prioritize preservation of people and lineage by submitting to a protector whose power is matched by virtue and truthfulness.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma / Nīti-śāstra (Governance, ethics, and conduct)
Primary Rasa: Karuna
Secondary Rasa: Vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A beleaguered king, his fort damaged and banners torn, approaches a mighty noble protector—dignified, truthful, and high-born—offering respectful submission to save his people.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic yet restrained scene of a weakened king with few attendants approaching a powerful noble in a grand hall; emphasis on gesture of surrender (añjali), stylized fort ruins in background, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: protector-noble depicted larger-than-life with gold-embossed ornaments; the smaller king kneels respectfully; symbolic scales or dharma-emblem near the protector to show truth and honor; rich gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative of ‘no countermeasure’—broken weapons, worried ministers—then orderly refuge-taking; fine detailing of court etiquette and respectful posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate submission scene in a palace courtyard; careful rendering of faces showing strain and relief; damaged fort in distance; refined textiles and architectural arches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुलोद्धतम् = कुल-उद्धतम्; सत्यमार्यम् = सत्यम् आर्यम्; आर्यमासेवेत = आर्यम् आसेवेत; बलोत्कटम् = बल-उत्कटम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma guidance on choosing allies and patrons (saṃśraya); Agni Purana counsel on kingly virtues and selection of ministers/protectors
FAQs
This is nīti-vidyā (statecraft/ethical prudence): when no practical countermeasure exists against a stronger adversary, one should seek protection through alliance or service to a truthful, noble, and powerful patron.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana compiles pragmatic disciplines like rajadharma and nīti; this verse is a compact rule of conduct for political survival and social strategy under coercion.
It recommends refuge with satya (truth) and ārya (noble) conduct rather than adharma-based opportunism, implying protection and worldly stability gained through alignment with righteous power.