Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 39
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
सन्तोषः शीलमुत्साहो मण्डयत्यनुजीविनं यथाकालमुपासीत राजानं सेवको नयात्
santoṣaḥ śīlamutsāho maṇḍayatyanujīvinaṃ yathākālamupāsīta rājānaṃ sevako nayāt
Kepuasan hati, tata susila, dan semangat usaha menghiasi orang yang hidup bergantung. Seorang pelayan hendaknya menghadap raja pada waktu yang tepat dan bertindak menurut naya (kebijakan yang benar).
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in rajadharma/nīti)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Workplace and court protocol: cultivate contentment, conduct, enthusiasm; attend superiors punctually; advise/act with policy rather than impulse.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"सेवक-उपासनाक्रम (Proper attendance and policy for a servant)","lookup_keywords":["सन्तोष","शील","उत्साह","यथाकाल","नय"],"quick_summary":"A servant is adorned by contentment, good conduct, and energetic effort; he should attend the king at proper times and proceed with sound policy."}
Concept: नययुक्त-सेवा—service guided by नीति (prudence) and regulated by time, sustained by संतोष and उत्साह.
Application: Adopt punctuality and discretion in hierarchical settings; balance ambition with contentment; channel energy into policy-aligned action and counsel.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti-shastra: Conduct of servants and courtly governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A servant waits at the palace gate with calm contentment, then enters at the appointed hour to present counsel; symbols of संतोष, शील, उत्साह appear as emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace gateway and inner court; servant shown in two moments—waiting serenely and then approaching the king at the right time; decorative motifs: full pot for संतोष, lamp for शील, rising sun for उत्साह; bold outlines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, triptych layout: left—content servant; center—attending king at yathākāla; right—offering a policy scroll; gold-leaf accents on throne, arch, and ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence with numbered panels; clock-like sun dial indicating ‘यथाकाल’; servant posture variations showing humility and energy; fine lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace courtyard; servant arrives precisely as court assembles; he presents a written memorandum (नय) to the king; realistic textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śīlamutsāhaḥ = śīlam + utsāhaḥ. maṇḍayatyanujīvinam = maṇḍayati + anujīvinam (i+a → ya). yathākālamupāsīta = yathākālam + upāsīta (m+u sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238 (niti for servants and court conduct)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā (practical statecraft/ethics): the virtues that qualify a royal attendant—contentment, good conduct, and energetic initiative—plus punctual attendance and acting according to naya (prudent policy).
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge of governance—rajadharma and court administration—showing it functions as a compendium that also teaches political ethics and professional conduct.
Cultivating santoṣa, śīla, and utsāha disciplines desire and ego, making service righteous rather than exploitative; such dharmic conduct supports good karma through truthful, timely, and prudent action in one’s duty.