Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 32
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
रक्षेच्च सर्वतस्त्वेनं पिता पुत्रमिवौरसं संरक्ष्यमणो राज्ञा यः कुरुते धर्ममन्वहं
rakṣecca sarvatastvenaṃ pitā putramivaurasaṃ saṃrakṣyamaṇo rājñā yaḥ kurute dharmamanvahaṃ
રાજાએ તેને સર્વ તરફથી રક્ષણ આપવું, જેમ પિતા પોતાના ઔરસ પુત્રને રક્ષે; કારણ કે રાજાના સંરક્ષણમાં રહેલો તે દરરોજ ધર્મનું આચરણ કરે છે।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Protective governance: provide comprehensive security and patronage to dharmic persons (especially śrotriyas), enabling continuous practice and teaching of dharma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"King as father: all-sided protection (sarvatas-rakṣā)","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā","pitā-putra-nyāya","rājadharma","śrotriya","dharma-anvaham"],"quick_summary":"The king should protect the worthy like a father protects a legitimate son; such protection sustains daily dharma-practice and social righteousness."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: father like protecting son)
Concept: Protection (rakṣā) is not merely coercive power but nurturing guardianship that enables ethical life.
Application: Provide legal protection, safe residence, exemption from harassment, and material security for teachers/ascetics; ensure swift redress against intimidation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Kingly Duties)
Primary Rasa: vatsalya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands beside a Brahmana/teacher, placing a protective hand gesture while guards form a respectful perimeter; the scene echoes a father shielding a son.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with protective mudrā, a Brahmana with manuscripts, guards at four directions, warm vatsalya mood, stylized palace veranda and lamp motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halo-like arch behind the king, the king blessing/protecting a Brahmana, ornate jewelry and textiles, symmetrical composition emphasizing guardianship","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction of ‘sarvatas-rakṣā’: four-direction guard placement, the king and protected scholar centered, fine linework and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly protection scene with detailed uniforms, the king addressing guards, the scholar escorted safely, architectural depth and patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rakṣecca → rakṣet + ca; sarvatastvenaṃ → sarvataḥ + tu + enam; putramivaurasam → putram + iva + aurasam; dharmamanvaham → dharmam + anvaham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: welfare and protection duties (222.30-34)
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma as applied governance-vidya: the king’s technical duty is comprehensive protection of subjects, modeled on a father’s protection of his legitimate son, enabling citizens to practice dharma consistently.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies practical statecraft: this verse is a governance maxim linking public security to social morality, showing the text’s coverage of law and political ethics.
By protecting subjects, the king becomes a direct support of dharma; the protected person can perform righteous duties daily, increasing merit and stabilizing moral order in society.