Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
धर्मकामादिभेदश् च दुर्गसंस्कारभूषणं कोषात्तद्व्यसनाद्धन्ति कोषमूलो हि भूपतिः
dharmakāmādibhedaś ca durgasaṃskārabhūṣaṇaṃ koṣāttadvyasanāddhanti koṣamūlo hi bhūpatiḥ
धर्म, काम आदि पुरुषार्थों का भेद तथा दुर्गों का संस्कार और भूषण—ये सब कोष से ही टिकते हैं। कोष विपत्ति में पड़े तो ये नष्ट हो जाते हैं, क्योंकि राजा का बल कोषमूल है।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Budgeting and fiscal policy for sustaining governance priorities (dharma/artha/kama), fortification upkeep, and state resilience; emphasizes treasury as the base of royal capacity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Koṣa-mūlatva of Rājya (Treasury as Root of Kingship)","lookup_keywords":["koṣa","rājadharma","durga-saṃskāra","state finance","koṣamūla"],"quick_summary":"State aims and fortification maintenance depend on a healthy treasury; when revenue collapses, governance capacity collapses. Treat fiscal stability as the root-institution of kingship."}
Concept: Institutional causality: koṣa (treasury) is the material root sustaining dharma-artha-kāma pursuits and state security.
Application: Prioritize revenue integrity, anti-leakage controls, and reserve-building before expanding projects or military works.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance, Statecraft, and Royal Policy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council with ministers reviewing ledgers and coin-chests while artisans and soldiers maintain a fortified rampart; the treasury visually anchors all activities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, royal court scene with the king and ministers beside overflowing koṣa chests, stylized fort walls and gateways in the background, flat vibrant colors, ornate borders, calm authoritative expressions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated king with halo-like arch, gold-leaf detailing on treasury chests and fort ornaments, ministers presenting palm-leaf accounts, rich reds and greens, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: labeled elements—koṣa, durga, dharma-kāma aims—king pointing to accounts, delicate lines, muted palette, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed fiscal court: accountants with scrolls, coin weighers, fortification works in distance, fine architectural perspective, naturalistic faces, intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भेदश् च → भेदः च; कोषात्तद्व्यसनाद्धन्ति → कोषात् तत् व्यसनात् हन्ति; कोषमूलो → कोषमूलः (विसर्ग-लोप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma/Daṇḍanīti sections on koṣa, durga, and sapta-aṅga of rājya
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma/statecraft knowledge: the treasury (kośa) is the operational foundation that funds administrative aims (dharma–kāma, etc.) and the construction, maintenance, and strengthening of forts (durga-saṃskāra).
Beyond theology, it preserves pragmatic political economy—linking fiscal health to defense infrastructure and governance priorities—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of administration, finance, and military preparedness alongside ritual and doctrine.
It frames righteous rule as materially supported: maintaining dharma in a kingdom requires stable resources; neglect or corruption of the treasury undermines both public order and the ruler’s capacity to uphold dharma.