Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 6
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
राजोवाच किं श्रान्तो ऽस्यल्पमध्वानं त्वयोढा शिविका मम किमायाससहो न त्वं पीवानसि निरीक्ष्यसे
rājovāca kiṃ śrānto 'syalpamadhvānaṃ tvayoḍhā śivikā mama kimāyāsasaho na tvaṃ pīvānasi nirīkṣyase
Raja berkata: “Apakah engkau lelah? Engkau baru mengusung tandu kerajaanku (śivikā) sejauh sedikit. Apakah engkau tak sanggup menahan jerih payah? Melihatmu, engkau tidak tampak tegap.”
Raja (the King)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal etiquette and leadership communication: how a king addresses subordinates, tests capacity, and observes bodily signs without immediate punishment.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-vākya: Inquiry into fatigue and fitness of a bearer","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","niti","shivikavahana","shrama-pariksha","raja-vacana"],"quick_summary":"Models a king’s probing speech about a servant’s fatigue and robustness; highlights observation-based assessment and the ethics of questioning before judging."}
Concept: Leadership should inquire and verify (parīkṣā) rather than presume; speech reveals power dynamics and ethical responsibility.
Application: In governance/management, use measured questioning and observation to evaluate capacity and welfare of workers.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Royal conduct and courtly discourse)
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated in a palanquin questions the palanquin-bearer about fatigue, scrutinizing his physique and demeanor in a courtly road setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, earthy reds and greens, a crowned king in ornate palanquin with attendants, expressive faces, the bearer standing respectfully, palm-leaf landscape, temple-like ornamentation, flat perspective","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the palanquin and royal jewelry, frontal king with stylized eyes, bearer in simple attire, rich maroon background, decorative arch motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, soft shading, narrative court scene with the king gesturing in inquiry, detailed textiles, restrained gold accents, clear facial expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine brushwork, roadside procession with palanquin, king speaking, bearer responding with humility, detailed flora, patterned textiles, naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājovāca = rājā + uvāca; śrānto 'si = śrāntaḥ + asi; tvayoḍhā = tvayā + ūḍhā; kimāyāsasaho = kim + āyāsa-sahaḥ; pīvānasi = pīvān + asi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Nīti sections on rāja-vṛtti and sevaka-parīkṣā (general); Agni Purana Nyāya/Vāda passages on designation (for later verses)
FAQs
It conveys niti (statecraft/etiquette) in practice: a ruler attentively assesses the condition and capacity of a servant/porter during service, emphasizing prudent oversight rather than ritual instruction.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves social and administrative realities—royal travel, service roles (bearing a shivika), and the king’s manner of inquiry—showing its coverage of practical governance and courtly life.
The implied dharmic takeaway is compassionate, responsible leadership: noticing another’s fatigue and speaking appropriately supports righteous conduct (dharma) and reduces harm arising from neglect or harshness.