Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 53
अध्याय ३८० — गीतासारः
The Essence of the Gītā
कामाय राजसं कर्म मोहात् कर्म तु तामसं सीध्यसिद्ध्योः समः कर्ता सात्त्विको राजसो ऽत्यपि
kāmāya rājasaṃ karma mohāt karma tu tāmasaṃ sīdhyasiddhyoḥ samaḥ kartā sāttviko rājaso 'tyapi
L’action accomplie pour le désir est rajasique ; l’action accomplie par illusion (moha) est tamasique. L’agent qui demeure égal dans la réussite et l’échec est sattvique ; tandis que celui que la passion pousse à l’excès est rajasique.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Behavioral ethics for rulers and householders: classify acts and agents by motive and steadiness; cultivate equanimity in outcomes to stabilize judgment and reduce rash governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rājasa/tāmasa karma and sāttvika kartṛ-lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["kāmya-karma","mohaja-karma","siddhi-asiddhi-samatva","sāttvika-kartā","rājasa-kartā"],"quick_summary":"Desire-driven action is rājasa; delusion-driven action is tāmasa. The sāttvika doer remains even-minded in success and failure; excessive passion marks the rājasa doer."}
Concept: Samatva (evenness) toward siddhi/asiddhi as a marker of sāttvika agency; motive determines guṇa of karma.
Application: In decision-making: pause before acting, check for kāma or moha; train response to outcomes (praise/blame, gain/loss) to remain steady.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Karma-Phala (Ethics of Action; Triguṇa analysis)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A balance scale shows 'success' and 'failure' equal; a calm minister/king stands steady, while another figure lunges toward rewards (rajas) and a confused figure stumbles (tamas).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court scene: steady-faced counselor beside a perfectly balanced scale labeled siddhi/asiddhi; contrasting rājasa figure reaching for gold and tāmasa figure in shadowy confusion, strong outlines and symbolic color coding","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central equanimous king with gold halo, holding a balanced scale; side panels show rājasa desire for treasure and tāmasa confusion, rich ornamentation and gold leaf highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional moral tableau with clear expressions: calm sāttvika doer, agitated rājasa doer, bewildered tāmasa doer; soft tones, precise facial detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly allegory: emperor consults two advisors; one serene, one impassioned; a jester-like confused figure symbolizes moha; delicate architecture and fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sīdhyasiddhyoḥ read as siddhyasiddhyoḥ = siddhi-asiddhyoḥ; rājaso 'tyapi = rājasaḥ ati api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 380.50; Agni Purana 380.52; Agni Purana 380.54
FAQs
It gives a practical triguṇa diagnostic: desire-motivated action is rājasa, delusion-driven action is tāmasa, and the sāttvika doer is identified by equanimity in success and failure—useful for self-audit before undertaking duties or rites.
Alongside external subjects (ritual, polity, arts), the Agni Purana also systematizes inner psychology and ethics; this verse functions like a concise manual for classifying conduct and leadership temperament within rajadharma-oriented instruction.
Equanimity (samatva) marks sattva and purifies agency; it reduces binding desire and confusion, steering karma toward clarity and dharmic outcomes rather than passion-born attachment or tamasic negligence.