Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Sahāya-sampattiḥ (Securing Support/Allies): Royal Appointments, Court Offices, Spies, and Personnel Ethics
उत्तमाधममध्यानि पुरुषाणि नियोजयेत् ज्येच्छुः पृथिवीं राजा सहायाननयोद्धितान्
uttamādhamamadhyāni puruṣāṇi niyojayet jyecchuḥ pṛthivīṃ rājā sahāyānanayoddhitān
રાજાએ ઉત્તમ, અધમ અને મધ્યમ ક્ષમતાવાળા પુરુષોને યોગ્ય પદોમાં નિયુક્ત કરવા જોઈએ. જે રાજા પૃથ્વીનું રક્ષણ અને સુશાસન ઇચ્છે, તે યુદ્ધપ્રવૃત્તિ ન ધરાવનારને પણ સહાયક તરીકે રાખે.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Human-resource deployment in governance: assign posts according to graded capacity; retain non-combatant assistants for counsel, logistics, and administration to stabilize rule.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yogyatā-niyoga: Posting by capacity; non-combatant assistants","lookup_keywords":["uttama madhyama adhama","niyoga","sahāya","non-combatant","governance staffing"],"quick_summary":"Protecting the realm requires appointing people to posts according to their level of ability, while keeping suitable non-combatants as administrative and advisory assistants."}
Concept: Rājadharma as protection through right appointment (adhikāra-bheda) and balanced reliance on counsel and service.
Application: Build governance teams with clear role differentiation: combat/security vs policy/logistics; assign by competence and temperament.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scene where the king assigns roles: capable officers receive seals and weapons; middling staff receive administrative tools; non-combatant assistants stand with scrolls, maps, and account books.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, king on throne distributing insignia, three tiers of men arranged, non-combatant counselors with palm-leaf manuscripts, bold outlines and rhythmic composition, aura of orderly governance","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with gold halo-like arch, officers receiving emblems, counselors holding scrolls, gold leaf on throne and ornaments, symmetrical tiered arrangement","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic court tableau with labeled groups (uttama/madhyama/adhama), assistants with ledgers and maps, refined linework and gentle shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly durbar with detailed textiles, king assigning posts, some men armed, others with documents, subtle hierarchy through posture and placement"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहायाननयोद्धितान् = सहायान् + अनयोद्धितान्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: ministerial selection and division of duties; Agni Purana Nīti: qualities of assistants and counselors
FAQs
It imparts practical rajadharma: staffing the state by classifying people by competence (uttama–madhyama–adhama) and selecting suitable assistants, especially administrative/counsel roles distinct from battlefield roles.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana codifies governance: human-resource assignment, role differentiation (combat vs. counsel), and royal policy—showing its coverage of applied political science alongside religious instruction.
Right appointment and right use of power are part of rājadharma; governing without misplacing duties reduces harm (hiṃsā) and supports dharma in society, accruing merit to the ruler through just administration.