Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 25
Yātrā-Maṇḍala-Cintā and Rājya-Rakṣaṇa: Auspicious Travel Rules and the Twelve-King Mandala
प्रतापवृद्धौ तेनापि नामित्राज्जायते भयं यथास्य नोद्विजेल्लोको विश्वासश् च यथा भवेत्
pratāpavṛddhau tenāpi nāmitrājjāyate bhayaṃ yathāsya nodvijelloko viśvāsaś ca yathā bhavet
王威を増しつつも、非敵の者たちに自分への恐れを起こさせず、民が動揺せず、信頼が生じるように振る舞うべきである。
Lord Agni (in discourse on rājadharma/statecraft)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Governance ethics: expand state power without generating fear among non-hostile subjects; maintain public trust through measured use of force and predictable administration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pratāpa-vṛddhi with public trust (aviśaṅkā)","lookup_keywords":["pratāpa","amitra","bhaya","loka","viśvāsa"],"quick_summary":"Increase royal might in a way that does not intimidate the innocent or neutral populace. The goal is stability through trust, not terror."}
Concept: Legitimate power is restrained power: daṇḍa must be calibrated so that social confidence (viśvāsa) increases.
Application: Use transparent rules, proportional enforcement, and welfare measures so institutional strength is perceived as protection rather than predation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Statecraft, and Royal Policy)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A powerful king reviews troops and treasury, yet simultaneously listens to citizens’ petitions; the populace appears calm and trusting rather than fearful.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with attendants and soldiers on one side, common people offering petitions on the other, balanced composition showing strength and compassion, bright flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king enthroned with gold work, one hand in boon-giving gesture, soldiers and banners behind, citizens serene in foreground, ornate arch and jewelry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, administrative scene with orderly queue of petitioners, scribes recording, guards standing relaxed, emphasis on governance procedure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court of justice scene, detailed textiles and architecture, king hearing grievances, calm crowd, subtle expressions of trust"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेन+अपि→तेनापि; न+अमित्रात्→नामित्रात्; अमित्रात्+जायते→अमित्राज्जायते; न+उद्विजेत्→नोद्विजेत्; उद्विजेत्+लोकः→उद्विजेल्लोकः; विश्वासः+च→विश्वासश् च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 232 (rājadharma in campaign and mandala context)
FAQs
Rājanīti (statecraft): a ruler may expand pratāpa (authority/deterrent power) but must ensure it does not generate fear among non-enemies/subjects; governance should produce public confidence rather than intimidation.
It exemplifies the Purana’s inclusion of political theory and administrative ethics (rajadharma) alongside ritual and theology—showing that the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of practical disciplines for society.
A king who rules without causing भय (fear) to innocents cultivates dharma, reduces harm (hiṃsā) in governance, and gains पुण्य through protection and just conduct, strengthening both social order and moral legitimacy.