Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 17
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
तेजसा दुर् निरीक्ष्यो हि राजा भास्करवत्ततः लोकप्रसादं गच्छेत दर्शनाच्चन्द्रवत्ततः
tejasā dur nirīkṣyo hi rājā bhāskaravattataḥ lokaprasādaṃ gaccheta darśanāccandravattataḥ
ដោយព្រះតេជៈ ស្តេចគួរឲ្យមើលមិនងាយ ដូចព្រះអាទិត្យ; ប៉ុន្តែដោយការផ្តល់ទស្សនៈ (darśana) គួរឲ្យប្រជាជនពេញចិត្ត ដូចព្រះច័ន្ទ។
Lord Agni (in instruction on rājadharma, addressed to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Royal conduct guideline: maintain awe through majesty and accessibility through audience; balance deterrence with benevolence to secure loyalty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"King as Sun and Moon: awe and public favor","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","tejas","bhāskara","candra","darśana"],"quick_summary":"A king should be formidable in majesty like the Sun, yet pleasing through audience and visibility like the Moon—an ideal balance of authority and approachability."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Right rulership harmonizes tejas (awe-inspiring power) with prasāda (grace and accessibility).
Application: Maintain dignified protocol and deterrent presence, while holding regular audiences, grievance hearings, and public rituals to build trust.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Kingship, governance, royal conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king depicted with a radiant aura like the Sun when seated in state, and in a second moment giving gentle audience like the Moonlight—people approaching with petitions peacefully.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dual-aspect king: one side with sun-disc aura, stern posture; other side with moon-disc aura, open palm granting audience; citizens with folded hands; ornate palace backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king with two halos (sun and moon) in gold leaf, jeweled throne, attendants, petitioners; rich decorative arch and embossed ornaments emphasizing tejas and prasāda","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diptych: ‘Sun-like majesty’ court protocol scene and ‘Moon-like audience’ grievance-hearing scene; clear gestures and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene transitioning to public jharokha-style audience; subtle sun/moon motifs in sky margins; fine detailing of faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: durnirīkṣyo = dur nirīkṣyaḥ; bhāskaravattataḥ = bhāskara-vat tataḥ; darśanāccandravattataḥ = darśanāt candra-vat tataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 225 (royal conduct and public audience)
FAQs
It instructs a king to maintain awe-inspiring authority (like the Sun) while also offering approachable public audience (like the Moon) to secure goodwill.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied statecraft (rājadharma), giving actionable guidance on political legitimacy, public perception, and royal comportment.
Balanced conduct—firmness without arrogance and accessibility without loss of dignity—supports dharmic rule, reducing social harm and generating merit through just, people-centered governance.