Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
तस्य सीदति तद्राष्ट्रं व्याधिदुर्भिक्षतस्करैः श्रुतं वृत्तन्तु विज्ञाय वृत्तिं तस्य प्रकल्पयेत्
tasya sīdati tadrāṣṭraṃ vyādhidurbhikṣataskaraiḥ śrutaṃ vṛttantu vijñāya vṛttiṃ tasya prakalpayet
そのため彼の国は、病・飢饉・盗賊によって苦境に陥る。事の真相を聞き、確かめ知ったなら、王はその者のために相応しい生計と扶持を整えるべきである。
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma, addressed to the inquiring sage)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Crisis governance: recognize that neglecting welfare triggers disease, famine, and crime; investigate facts and provide targeted livelihood support to stabilize the realm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Royal response to distress: disease–famine–theft triad","lookup_keywords":["vyādhi","durbhikṣa","taskara","rāṣṭra-kṣobha","vṛtti"],"quick_summary":"If a śrotriya or subject languishes, the kingdom suffers through illness, famine, and theft; the king should verify the report and arrange proper livelihood support."}
Concept: Ruler’s dharma includes fact-finding (vṛttānta-vijñāna) and provisioning (vṛtti-prakalpana) to prevent systemic suffering.
Application: Establish inquiry mechanisms, relief granaries, stipends, and policing; prioritize verified aid over rumor-driven punishment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Duties of the King)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A troubled kingdom: sick people, empty fields, and thieves at night; the king in council hears a report, verifies it, and orders livelihood support for the afflicted learned man.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-panel narrative: left shows disease and famine, right shows royal council with the king receiving a messenger and ordering relief, stylized villages and guards, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on royal court, minister presenting a scroll of ‘vṛttānta’, the king pointing toward granary distribution, symbolic vignettes of famine and thieves in corners","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: inquiry scene with scribes, then relief distribution, fine facial expressions, muted elegance, administrative realism","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling court with record-keepers, a messenger describing distress, the king issuing orders, background scenes of famine-struck countryside and night patrols"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadrāṣṭram → tat + rāṣṭram; vṛttantu → vṛttam + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: protection and maintenance of Brahmanas and dependents (222.30-34)
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma as applied governance: investigate reports accurately (vṛttānta-vijñāna) and provide structured maintenance/relief (vṛtti-prakalpana) to stabilize society during disease, famine, and theft.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical state administration—crisis management, law-and-order pressures, and welfare provisioning—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of political economy and social stability alongside ritual and doctrine.
A ruler who hears truthfully, judges rightly, and sustains people in calamity upholds dharma; such protection and support are treated as merit-bearing acts that reduce suffering and preserve righteous order in the realm.