Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
सत्यसत्त्वधृतिस्थैर्यप्रभावारोग्यसंयुतः कृतशिल्पश् च दक्षश् च प्रज्ञावान् धारणान्वितः
satyasattvadhṛtisthairyaprabhāvārogyasaṃyutaḥ kṛtaśilpaś ca dakṣaś ca prajñāvān dhāraṇānvitaḥ
មានសច្ចៈ សុចរិតភាព កម្លាំងអត់ធ្មត់ ភាពមាំមួន អំណាចឥទ្ធិពល និងសុខភាពល្អ; បានបណ្តុះបណ្តាលក្នុងសិល្បៈ និងសិប្បកម្ម មានសមត្ថភាព និងប្រសិទ្ធភាព មានប្រាជ្ញា និងមានសមត្ថភាពចងចាំ និងស្ងប់ស្ងាត់—នេះហើយជាបុគ្គលគំរូ។
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vashistha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Defines the composite excellence of an official: ethical truth, mental steadiness, influence, health, skill-training, efficiency, intelligence, and strong retention—useful for recruitment and evaluation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Amātya-sampat (Integrity, Health, Skill, and Intelligence)","lookup_keywords":["satya","dhṛti","sthairya","ārogya","dakṣa"],"quick_summary":"The ideal functionary is truthful and steadfast, influential yet stable, healthy, trained in practical arts, efficient, intelligent, and endowed with strong memory/retention and composure."}
Concept: Public duty rests on satya and steadiness; competence is incomplete without health and trained skill (śilpa/kalā).
Application: Design an evaluation matrix: ethics (satya/sattva), resilience (dhṛti/sthairya), capability (dakṣa/kṛtaśilpa), cognition (prajñā/dhāraṇā), and wellness (ārogya).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Qualities of an ideal minister/official)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed official is shown healthy and vigorous, holding a manuscript and tools of craft/arts; behind him symbols of truth (balance/scale) and steadiness (pillar) suggest dhṛti and sthairya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dignified minister with serene face, broad chest indicating ārogya, holding palm-leaf text and artisan’s stylus, symbolic pillar and scale motifs, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central figure with radiant presence (prabhāva), gold embossing around halo and ornaments, manuscript and craft tools, symmetrical composition emphasizing stability.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional allegory—labels for satya, dhṛti, sthairya, ārogya around the figure; delicate shading, calm courtly background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: portrait of an official with subtle aura of influence, detailed textiles, manuscript in hand, attendants, fine architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prabhāvārogyasaṃyutaḥ → prabhāva-ārogya-saṃyutaḥ (ā + a sandhi). kṛtaśilpaś ca → kṛtaśilpaḥ ca (visarga before c).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238.13; Agni Purana 238.15; Agni Purana 238.16
FAQs
This verse imparts Nīti-vidyā (statecraft/administrative science) by listing the core qualifications expected in a capable adviser or state functionary—truthfulness, steadiness, competence, training, intelligence, and reliable memory/composure.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical guidance on governance and administration; this verse functions like a concise competency framework for leadership and public service, showcasing the text’s broad, encyclopedic scope.
By elevating satya (truth) and sattva (inner virtue) as foundational traits for public duty, the verse links ethical governance with dharma: right conduct in service reduces harm, supports social order, and accrues merit through righteous action.