Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
कामं क्रोधं मदं मानं लोभं दर्पञ्च वर्जयेत् ततो भृत्यजयङ्कृत्वा पौरजानपदं जयेत्
kāmaṃ krodhaṃ madaṃ mānaṃ lobhaṃ darpañca varjayet tato bhṛtyajayaṅkṛtvā paurajānapadaṃ jayet
គួរលះបង់កាមៈ កំហឹង មោហៈនៃស្រវឹង មោទនភាព លោភ និងអហങ്കារ។ បន្ទាប់មក ដោយធ្វើឲ្យអ្នកបម្រើ និងអ្នកតាមមានភាពស្មោះត្រង់ និងវិន័យជាមុន សូមឈ្នះចិត្តប្រជាជនក្នុងទីក្រុង និងអ្នកស្រុកជនបទ។
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Personal self-discipline for rulers/administrators to prevent governance failures; sequencing of political consolidation—first internal staff/retainers, then urban and rural populace.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Raja-nigraha of six inner enemies and winning over subjects","lookup_keywords":["ari-shadvarga","kama-krodha-lobha","bhṛtya-jaya","paura-janapada","raja-niti"],"quick_summary":"A ruler should first conquer the inner enemies (desire, anger, intoxication, pride, greed, arrogance). After disciplining and securing loyal retainers, he should win the confidence of townspeople and countryside for stable rule."}
Concept: Indriya-nigraha (mastery of passions) as the prerequisite for legitimate and effective kingship.
Application: Adopt a code of conduct for leaders: avoid intoxicants and corrupting impulses; build a disciplined civil/military service; then cultivate public consent through fair administration.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council renounces vices symbolized as six shadowy figures; he then inspects disciplined retainers and addresses townspeople and villagers in an orderly assembly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, frontal king with ornate crown in palace hall, six dark personifications (kama, krodha, mada, mana, lobha, darpa) fading behind him, disciplined attendants in rows, warm earthy palette, temple-mural linework","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed king seated on throne, six vices depicted as small subdued figures at the base, richly ornamented courtiers, townspeople and farmers offering petitions, heavy gold detailing and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional court scene: king reviewing retainers, then meeting guild leaders and village elders, delicate shading, clean architectural backdrop, emphasis on orderly governance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar: king rejecting wine cup and angered gesture replaced by calm mudra, scribes and guards aligned, townsmen and peasants in separate groups, fine textiles and naturalistic faces"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दर्पञ्च = दर्पम् + च; भृत्यजयङ्कृत्वा = भृत्यजयम् + कृत्वा (अनुस्वार-परिवर्तन); पौरजानपदं = पौरजानपदम् (पदान्त-लोप/अनुस्वार).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma section on danda and durga (near 224.9-224.12); Agni Purana teachings on dharma of rulers (rajadharma chapters)
FAQs
This verse imparts rāja-nīti (political science) within rajadharma: the practical rule that a ruler must first conquer inner vices, then secure the obedience of retainers, and only thereafter consolidate support among urban citizens (paura) and provincial subjects (janapada).
It shows the Agni Purana’s coverage extending beyond ritual into governance and administration—linking moral psychology (control of kāma, krodha, etc.) with concrete statecraft steps (managing servants/officials and integrating city and countryside populations).
Renouncing the six inner faults purifies intention and reduces adharma-driven rule; leadership grounded in self-mastery is presented as ethically meritorious and stabilizing, preventing harm to subjects and the karmic fallout of tyranny.