Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 1
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
इत्य् अग्नेये महापुराणे श्रीस्तोत्रं नाम षट्त्रिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तत्रिंशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः रामोक्तनीतिः अग्निर् उवाच नीतिस्ते पुष्करोक्ता तु रामोक्ता लक्ष्मणाय या जयाय तां प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु धर्मादिवर्धनीं
ity agneye mahāpurāṇe śrīstotraṃ nāma ṣaṭtriṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha saptatriṃśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ rāmoktanītiḥ agnir uvāca nītiste puṣkaroktā tu rāmoktā lakṣmaṇāya yā jayāya tāṃ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu dharmādivardhanīṃ
इस प्रकार अग्नि-महापुराण में “श्री-स्तोत्र” नामक दो सौ छत्तीसवाँ अध्याय समाप्त हुआ। अब दो सौ सैंतीसवाँ अध्याय “रामोक्त नीति” आरम्भ होता है। अग्नि बोले—जो नीति पुष्कर ने कही थी, वही राम ने लक्ष्मण से विजय के लिए कही; उसे मैं बताता हूँ, सुनो—यह धर्म आदि को बढ़ाने वाली है।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Sets the frame for a nīti/statecraft teaching attributed to Rāma for victory and dharma-growth; used as a preface for governance instruction and ethical policy training.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāma-ukta-nīti—chapter commencement and purpose","lookup_keywords":["Rāma-ukta-nīti","Puṣkara","Lakṣmaṇa","jaya","rājadharma"],"quick_summary":"Introduces the next chapter: Agni will teach the nīti spoken by Rāma to Lakṣmaṇa (as transmitted via Puṣkara), aimed at victory and the increase of dharma."}
Alamkara Type: Āmnāya/itihāsa-pramāṇa (authoritative attribution)
Concept: Nīti as dharma-vardhinī: policy is not value-neutral but meant to increase dharma and allied goods (artha, kāma under dharma).
Application: Approach governance study as a dharma-sādhana: evaluate policies by whether they strengthen righteousness, stability, and legitimate victory.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Governance and Ethical Policy)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni as teacher announcing a new discourse on nīti, with the implied lineage of Rāma instructing Lakṣmaṇa for victory; a scholastic setting with manuscripts and attentive disciples.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Agni-deva seated as guru with flaming aura, palm-leaf manuscripts, disciples listening; inset vignette of Rāma teaching Lakṣmaṇa, bold outlines, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Agni enthroned with gold halo, ornate frame, manuscript in hand; small side panel showing Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa in teaching posture, rich gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, classroom-like gurukula scene with Agni instructing, clear gestures indicating ‘now I shall expound’; secondary vignette of Rāma teaching Lakṣmaṇa, soft colors, fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly majlis with Agni as luminous sage, attendants with books; marginal cartouche depicting Rāma advising Lakṣmaṇa, intricate textiles and architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity = iti; agnir uvāca = agniḥ + uvāca (visarga sandhi); nītiste = nītiḥ + te; 'adhyāyaḥ = adhyāyaḥ (aḥ + a → 'a).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 236 (Śrī-stotra conclusion); Agni Purana 237 (Rāma-ukta-nīti section)
FAQs
It introduces Nīti-śāstra (statecraft and ethical policy): guidance attributed to Rāma (to Lakṣmaṇa) aimed at achieving victory while strengthening dharma-based conduct.
By shifting from a devotional hymn section (Śrī-stotra) to a governance and policy section (Rāma-ukta Nīti), it demonstrates the text’s range—from stotra literature to applied political-ethical instruction (rājadharma/nīti).
The verse frames victory as dharma-aligned: success is to be pursued through policy that ‘increases dharma,’ implying righteous governance yields both worldly success and positive karmic outcomes.