Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
उक्त आश्रमधर्मस्तु धर्मः स्यात् पञ्चधा परः षाड्गुण्यस्याभिधाने यो दृष्टार्थः स उदाहृतः
ukta āśramadharmastu dharmaḥ syāt pañcadhā paraḥ ṣāḍguṇyasyābhidhāne yo dṛṣṭārthaḥ sa udāhṛtaḥ
અહીં જણાવાયેલ આશ્રમધર્મ જ પાંચ પ્રકારમાં ‘પર’ (ઉચ્ચ) ધર્મ છે. અને ષાડ્ગુણ્ય (છ નીતિઓ)ના નિરૂપણમાં જે દૃષ્ટાર્થ (પ્રત્યક્ષ પ્રયોગલક્ષી) છે, તે જ અહીં ઉલ્લેખિત થયું છે.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Integrate āśrama-based dharma (as a higher normative framework) with the king’s sixfold foreign policy (ṣāḍguṇya) by prioritizing measures that yield direct, observable results (dṛṣṭārtha) in governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Fivefold Higher Dharma and the Practical Aim in Ṣāḍguṇya","lookup_keywords":["āśrama-dharma","pañcadhā dharma","ṣāḍguṇya","dṛṣṭārtha","rāja-nīti"],"quick_summary":"The text frames āśrama-dharma as a ‘higher’ fivefold dharma and, in discussing ṣāḍguṇya, emphasizes policy choices oriented to tangible outcomes in statecraft."}
Concept: Dharma provides the normative ceiling for governance, while nīti selects means with dṛṣṭārtha (verifiable) benefit; higher values and practical policy are not opposed but layered.
Application: When choosing among ṣāḍguṇya options, test each measure against (a) dharmic constraints and (b) measurable public benefit—security, stability, prosperity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma-Niti-shastra (Governance, policy, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal council where the king consults ministers; a diagram-like sixfold policy wheel is shown alongside a fivefold dharma emblem, indicating alignment of ethics and strategy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king in sabhā with ministers, stylized circular mandala showing six policy petals labeled sandhi-vigraha-yāna-āsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhibhāva, above it a fivefold dharma motif, bold outlines, ornamental borders, didactic serenity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king and ministers with gold-embossed throne, a gilded wheel of ṣāḍguṇya held like a royal insignia, fivefold dharma symbol as a halo backdrop, rich jewel tones, formal symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: council scene plus inset panels—one listing pañcadhā dharma, another listing ṣāḍguṇya; fine lines, readable labels, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with wazirs, a scholar presenting a scroll with six policy measures, architectural depth, patterned carpets, marginal notes indicating dṛṣṭārtha, refined realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आश्रमधर्मस्तु = आश्रम-धर्मः + तु; षाड्गुण्यस्याभिधाने = षाड्गुण्यस्य + अभिधाने
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166.6 (dṛṣṭa/adr̥ṣṭa aims); Agni Purana rajadharma sections on daṇḍa and nīti
FAQs
It signals a shift to practical nīti-vidyā: the chapter’s teaching on ṣāḍguṇya (six measures of state policy) is presented as dṛṣṭārtha—aimed at actionable governance rather than purely ritual instruction.
By placing āśrama-dharma (social-religious duty) alongside ṣāḍguṇya (political strategy), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s breadth—integrating ethics, social order, and concrete statecraft within one compendium.
It frames righteous governance as part of dharma: practical policy (ṣāḍguṇya) is legitimized when aligned with the higher dharma rooted in āśrama duties, implying merit accrues when worldly action serves dharmic order.