Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
प्रसुप्तं भोजनव्यग्रमभूमिष्ठमसुस्थितं चौराग्निभयवित्रस्तं वृष्टिवातसमाहतं
prasuptaṃ bhojanavyagramabhūmiṣṭhamasusthitaṃ caurāgnibhayavitrastaṃ vṛṣṭivātasamāhataṃ
जो सो रहा हो, जो भोजन करते समय विचलित हो, जो भूमि पर पड़ा हो, जो अस्थिर हो, जो चोर या अग्नि के भय से त्रस्त हो, और जो वर्षा-वायु से आहत हो—ऐसे जन असहाय माने जाकर रक्षणीय हैं।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Legal-protective rule: identifying persons in vulnerable states (asleep, eating, unsteady, weather-struck, fear-struck) who must be safeguarded and not exploited; informs policing and adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Helpless/vulnerable persons deserving protection (anatha/ashakta-lakshana)","lookup_keywords":["prasupta","bhojana-vyagra","abhumi-stha","asu-sthita","chora-agni-bhaya"],"quick_summary":"Defines situational helplessness: sleep, distraction while eating, lying on the ground, unsteadiness, terror from thieves/fire, and being battered by rain/wind. Practically, it guides officials and citizens to protect and not blame or penalize such persons unfairly."}
Concept: Daya and raksha: dharma requires safeguarding those temporarily incapable of self-protection.
Application: In law enforcement and community conduct: do not harass, fine, or coerce such persons; instead provide assistance and ensure safe passage.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Governance, Law, and Procedural Rules)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence-like tableau: a sleeping traveler, a person eating distractedly, someone fallen on the ground, a staggering figure, a frightened person near thieves/fire, and a person drenched by rain and buffeted by wind—while guards/citizens offer protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frieze of six vignettes with bold outlines: each vulnerable state shown clearly; protective attendants with calm faces; rain and wind stylized as swirling bands","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, six-panel narrative with gold borders; each panel shows one helpless condition; protective figure (guard/king’s officer) rendered with dignified posture and gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional storyboard: labeled-like clarity in gestures—sleeping, eating, fallen, unsteady, fear of fire/thieves, rain-wind exposure; delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street/roadside scene with multiple groups; subtle expressions of fear and fatigue; guards intervening; realistic rain and wind effects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भोजनव्यग्रमभूमिष्ठमसुस्थितं = भोजनव्यग्रम् + अभूमिष्ठम् + असुस्थितम् (external sandhi: ...व्यग्रम् + अभूमिष्ठम् → ...व्यग्रमभूमिष्ठम्; ...भूमिष्ठम् + असुस्थितम् → ...भूमिष्ठमसुस्थितम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Vyavahara rules on protection, punishment, and exceptions for incapacity
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma/nyaya guidance: identifying states of vulnerability (sleep, distraction, exposure, panic, weather-affliction) in which a person is considered helpless and must be protected rather than exploited.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also catalogs practical governance norms—here, a quasi-legal list defining vulnerable conditions relevant to policing, public duty, and adjudication.
Protecting those in helpless states is treated as dharmic conduct; harming or taking advantage of them increases adharma and negative karmic consequence, while safeguarding them accrues merit.