Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Sahāya-sampattiḥ (Securing Support/Allies): Royal Appointments, Court Offices, Spies, and Personnel Ethics
धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च नियुञ्जीताधमे ऽधमान् राजा यथार्हं कुर्याच्च उपाधाभिः परीक्षितान्
dharme cārthe ca kāme ca niyuñjītādhame 'dhamān rājā yathārhaṃ kuryācca upādhābhiḥ parīkṣitān
Dalam urusan dharma, artha, dan kama, raja hendaknya menugaskan bahkan orang rendah dan paling rendah pada tugas yang sesuai menurut kemampuan mereka; dan mereka yang telah diuji melalui siasat (ujian rahasia) pun hendaknya ditempatkan pada jabatan yang layak bagi mereka.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Merit-based and capacity-based appointment policy in administration, including vetting via covert tests before assigning sensitive posts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yogyatā-niyoga (Capacity-based appointments) and Upadhā-parīkṣā (Secret vetting)","lookup_keywords":["yogyatā","niyoga","upadhā-parīkṣā","rājadharma","adhama-niyukti"],"quick_summary":"Assign duties in dharma/artha/kāma according to proven capacity, regardless of low status; confirm reliability through stratagem-based trials before entrusting office."}
Concept: Adhikāra follows yogyatā (fitness), not mere birth/status; trust must be earned through examination.
Application: Create role-fit criteria, probation/assessment, and integrity checks before delegating authority.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance, Law, and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in court assigns varied duties to people of different social ranks while secret examiners observe and test candidates through staged scenarios.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style royal sabhā scene: crowned king on a low throne, ministers with palm-leaf records, candidates of varied attire, subtle spies in the background, warm earthy palette, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: king with halo-like prabhā, gold-foil court ornaments, ministers presenting scrolls, symbolic scales of merit, richly patterned textiles, frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court tableau showing appointment process—lists, seals, probation marks—fine linework, soft colors, emphasis on administrative instruments.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar with individualized faces, scribes, discreet informants, architectural depth, naturalistic textiles, marginal notes suggesting secret trials."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चार्थे = च + अर्थे; नियुञ्जीताधमे = नियुञ्जीत + अधमे; ऽधमान् = अधमान्; कुर्याच्च = कुर्यात् + च; यथार्हम् = यथा + अर्हम् (अव्ययीभाव); उपाधाभिः परीक्षितान् = (no sandhi change)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 220 (Rājadharma/Daṇḍanīti section)
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma/statecraft: the king should assign roles across departments of dharma, artha, and kāma according to fitness, and vet candidates through controlled tests (upādhis) before appointment.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical governance theory—personnel allocation, merit-based placement, and administrative vetting—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of political science alongside ritual and spiritual teachings.
Merit-based, properly tested appointments support dharma in the kingdom; a ruler who governs justly and prudently reduces harm, prevents corruption, and accrues religious merit through protection of social order.