Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
परार्थं स्त्रीनिमित्तञ्च दीर्घकालं द्विजैः सह अकालदैवयुक्तेन बलोद्धतसखेन च
parārthaṃ strīnimittañca dīrghakālaṃ dvijaiḥ saha akāladaivayuktena baloddhatasakhena ca
પરના હિત માટે અને સ્ત્રી‑નિમિત્તે, લાંબા સમય સુધી દ્વિજોની સાથે સંગ; તેમજ અકાળ‑દૈવથી પ્રેરિત અને બળના મદથી ઉન્મત્ત મિત્રની સાથે સંગ—(આ બંધનનું કારણ બને છે).
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing the sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Political risk management: recognize common entanglement-causes—acting for others’ benefit, woman-related scandals, prolonged dependence on priestly factions, and reckless allies driven by hubris or ill-timed fate—and avoid them.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Causes of Political Entanglement/Downfall: Parārtha, Strī-nimitta, Factional Dependence, Reckless Ally","lookup_keywords":["parārtha","strī-nimitta","dvijaiḥ saha","baloddhata-sakha","akāla-daiva"],"quick_summary":"A ruler can be trapped by serving others’ interests, by woman-related entanglements, by long factional association with influential Brahmins, or by a strong but reckless friend under adverse timing. The counsel is to keep alliances and personal conduct disciplined."}
Concept: Svārtha-rakṣa with maryādā: protect rightful self-interest, maintain ethical boundaries, and choose associations wisely under kāla (timing).
Application: Set court protocols: conflict-of-interest checks (parārtha), strict conduct rules to prevent scandals (strī-nimitta), balanced patronage to avoid capture by factions, and ally vetting for impulsiveness.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Conduct, alliances, and causes of political downfall)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four cautionary tableaux around a central king: (1) the king signing a decree benefiting another, (2) a palace intrigue involving a woman, (3) a cluster of Brahmins influencing policy over years, (4) a boastful strong ally dragging the king toward ill-timed war under ominous astrological signs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with central king and four surrounding narrative panels, stylized figures and bold outlines, symbolic motifs for parārtha, strī-nimitta, dvija-faction, baloddhata ally, subdued warning tone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore composition with central monarch in gold, four corner vignettes illustrating the four pitfalls, ornate borders, embossed gold for royal regalia, dramatic but moralizing scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with labeled panels like a nīti lesson chart, fine linework, gentle colors, clear depiction of court factions and reckless ally, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with multiple registers, court intrigue and alliance scene, detailed costumes and architecture, a dark cloud motif for akāla-daiva, refined narrative sequencing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्त्रीनिमित्तञ्च = स्त्रीनिमित्तम् + च; अकालदैवयुक्तेन = अकाल-दैव-युक्तेन; बलोद्धतसखेन = बल + उद्धत + सखेन (internal sandhi: बल+उद्धत→बलोद्धत).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma on choosing ministers and friends (mitra-parīkṣā); Agni Purana Nīti on kāla (timing) and daiva vs puruṣakāra
FAQs
It imparts Niti-vidya (statecraft/ethics): avoid entangling motivations (acting for others’ agendas), avoid relationship-based vulnerabilities, and beware alliances with reckless, fate-driven companions.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance guidance (rajadharma/niti), including risk assessment in friendships and social associations—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
It cautions that attachment-driven choices and misguided companionship become causes of prolonged bondage and misfortune; disciplined associations support dharma and reduce karmic entanglement.