Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 84

वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्

The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences

Devanagari script

पश्यतो व्यवहारांश् च गुणाः स्युः सप्त भूपतेः

Transliteration

paśyato vyavahārāṃś ca guṇāḥ syuḥ sapta bhūpateḥ

Translation

王よ、統治者に必要な七つの資質があると言われる—とりわけ、裁判と行政の処理を自ら観察し監督する時に。

Word by Word

• paśyataḥ: of (one) observing
• paśyataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paśyat (कृदन्त, √paś् धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-सम्भव (contextually genitive: 'of one who sees/observes')

• vyavahārān: transactions, dealings, conduct
• vyavahārān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyavahāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• guṇāḥ: qualities, virtues
• guṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• syuḥ: would be/should be
• syuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (अस् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-विशेषण (numeral adjective), प्रथमा-बहुवचनार्थे (used to qualify plural guṇāḥ)

• bhūpateḥ: of the king
• bhūpateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū-pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष (karmadhāraya/tatpuruṣa sense: 'lord of earth')

Speaker

Lord Agni

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for executive oversight: a ruler must personally observe judicial and administrative processes to cultivate (and be known for) core royal qualities—supporting accountability and deterrence of corruption.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Seven Qualities of a King (through Personal Supervision of Vyavahāra)","lookup_keywords":["saptagunaa","bhupati","vyavahara","raja-pariksha","administration"],"quick_summary":"Royal excellence is tied to direct supervision of legal and administrative dealings; the verse introduces a structured list (seven qualities) grounded in hands-on governance."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kingly dharma requires pratyakṣa-parīkṣa (direct seeing/verification) in governance; justice and administration are not to be delegated blindly.

Application: Implement regular audits, open hearings, and personal review of key cases and transactions to maintain trust and prevent abuse.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: Kingdom

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king standing or seated in a public court personally observing scribes, judges, and petitioners; scrolls, seals, and orderly queues indicate administrative transactions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal sabha with the king attentively watching vyavahāra, stylized palm-leaf manuscripts, officials in traditional attire, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, king with gold-embellished throne, ministers presenting case records, petitioners at the foot, rich textile patterns and gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional court tableau: labeled officials (scribe, judge, messenger), emphasis on the king’s attentive gaze and orderly procedure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intricate courtroom scene with clerks and ledgers, the king observing from a jharokha-like seat, fine architectural detailing"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्यवहारांश् च = व्यवहारान् + च

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (Rajadharma: conduct and its fruits)

Characters & Entities

• Bhupati (King)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It imparts practical statecraft: a king should personally supervise vyavahāra (judicial and administrative proceedings), and the text frames this as connected to a defined set of seven royal qualities.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

By treating governance and legal procedure (vyavahāra) as a formal discipline within a Purana, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage extending beyond theology into jurisprudence and political administration.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Just supervision of disputes and transactions supports dharma in society; a ruler who ensures fair vyavahāra reduces adharma and accrues religious merit through protection and righteous order.