Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 3
कुरुपाण्डवसङ्ग्रामवर्णनम्
Description of the War between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas
विदुरान्वित इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अयमात्मा परं ब्रह्म अहं ब्रह्मस्मि विद्धि तम् सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो योगी राजधर्मं प्रपालय
vidurānvita iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ ayamātmā paraṃ brahma ahaṃ brahmasmi viddhi tam siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo yogī rājadharmaṃ prapālaya
यह आत्मा परम ब्रह्म है; इसे ‘अहं ब्रह्मास्मि’ रूप से जानो। सिद्धि और असिद्धि में सम रहने वाला योगी राजधर्म का यथावत् पालन और संरक्षण करे।
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Integrates self-knowledge (brahmātmaikya) with governance: a ruler/administrator should act with yogic equanimity while upholding rājadharma—useful for ethical leadership training.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Brahmātma-jñāna with equanimity as the basis for protecting Rājadharma","lookup_keywords":["aham brahmāsmi","param brahma","siddhyasiddhi sama","yogī","rājadharma"],"quick_summary":"Know the Self as Brahman and remain even in success/failure; from that steadiness, administer and protect rājadharma without partiality or agitation."}
Concept: Non-dual self-knowledge (ātman as Brahman) supports yogic equanimity, enabling impartial governance and steadfast duty.
Application: For leaders: cultivate inner steadiness (samatva) to avoid bias, fear, and elation; enforce law and welfare measures consistently.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance and Duties of Kings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin-king seated in council, calm amid reports of victory and loss; the teaching ‘aham brahmāsmi’ implied as the inner anchor while he upholds rājadharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: regal yet ascetic king with yogic composure, ministers around; symbolic lotus/mandala behind head; scenes of justice and protection in side panels; saturated reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: enthroned king with subtle halo, gold-leaf court ornaments; right hand in assurance/teaching gesture; balance scales and palm-leaf lawbook motifs; rich architectural arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court scene; king listening to petitions, maintaining neutral expression; captions indicating ‘siddhi-asiddhi sama’; fine lines, muted elegance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: durbar setting with detailed textiles and attendants; king’s serene face contrasts with animated courtiers; symbolic manuscript and rosary; precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vidurānvitaḥ=vidura + anvitaḥ; ayamātmā=ayam + ātmā; brahmasmi=brahma + asmi; siddhyasiddhyoḥ=siddhi + asiddhyoḥ (द्वन्द्व-समास, द्विवचन-षष्ठी).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma chapters on kingly duties, punishment, and administration; Agni Purana: Mokṣa/Ātma-jñāna sections on brahma-ātma identity
FAQs
It teaches rājadharma as a yogic discipline: governance should be carried out with Vedāntic self-knowledge (“I am Brahman”) and equanimity toward success and failure.
It fuses metaphysics (ātman–brahman doctrine) with practical statecraft (rājadharma), showing how the text integrates spiritual philosophy with applied governance.
Ruling with even-mindedness and self-realization reduces ego-driven action, stabilizes dharmic conduct, and supports righteous karma through impartial administration.