Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 24
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तित्वं प्रजानां परिपालनं दानानि ब्राह्मणानाञ्च राज्ञो निःश्रेयसम्परं
saṅgrāmeṣvanivartitvaṃ prajānāṃ paripālanaṃ dānāni brāhmaṇānāñca rājño niḥśreyasamparaṃ
王にとって、戦いにおいて退かぬ堅固さ、民を守り正しく治めること、そして布施—とりわけバラモンへの施与—これらがニフシュレーヤサ（究竟の安楽）へ導く最上の手段である。
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal code: courage in war, protection/administration of subjects, and strategic charity to Brahmins as a legitimizing and merit-generating pillar of kingship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rājñaḥ Niḥśreyasa-sādhana (King’s Means to Supreme Good)","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","saṅgrāma","praja-pālana","brāhmaṇa-dāna","niḥśreyasa"],"quick_summary":"A king’s highest welfare is linked to three duties: steadfastness in battle, protection of subjects, and dāna—especially to Brahmins—uniting political stability with dharmic merit."}
Concept: Niḥśreyasa (ultimate good) is approached through integrated rājadharma: śaurya (valor), pālana (welfare governance), and dāna (merit/legitimacy).
Application: Balance defense readiness with welfare administration; institutionalize charitable endowments and learned counsel to stabilize rule.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Duties of a King)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in armor stands firm on a battlefield while, in parallel, he is shown protecting subjects in a court scene and offering gifts to Brahmins—triptych-like depiction of rājadharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic king with stylized armor and banner, adjacent panel of king dispensing justice and alms to brāhmaṇas, bold outlines, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal king with gold-embossed crown and ornaments, battlefield elements subdued, prominent dāna scene with gilded vessels and palm-leaf manuscripts near Brahmins","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequencing: (1) battle steadfastness, (2) prajā-pālana in court, (3) brāhmaṇa-dāna; fine lines, soft colors, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court and camp scenes, king on elephant or horse, soldiers in formation, Brahmins receiving gifts, architectural depth and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: saṅgrāmeṣu anivartitvam → saṅgrāmeṣv anivartitvam; brāhmaṇānām ca → brāhmaṇānāñ ca; niḥśreyasam param written as niḥśreyasamparaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma/nīti passages on daṇḍa, prajā-rakṣaṇa, and kingly virtues; Agni Purana dhanurveda-related sections emphasizing discipline and courage
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma as a practical statecraft-vidyā: a king must not retreat in battle, must protect and administer the people, and must uphold dāna (charitable giving), especially to Brahmins, as a pillar of righteous rule.
Alongside ritual and theological material, the Agni Purana catalogues governance norms (political ethics, wartime conduct, public welfare, and patronage). This verse is a compact rule of royal conduct, showing the text’s wide coverage beyond purely devotional topics.
By combining courage (dharma in battle), prajā-pālana (protective duty), and dāna (merit-producing generosity), the king accumulates righteous merit and aligns rulership with niḥśreyasa—ultimate welfare and spiritually elevating outcomes.