Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 41
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
गुह्यं मर्म च मन्त्रञ्च न च भर्तुः प्रकाशयेत् रक्ताद् वृत्तिं समीहेत विरक्तं सन्त्यजेन्नृपं
guhyaṃ marma ca mantrañca na ca bhartuḥ prakāśayet raktād vṛttiṃ samīheta viraktaṃ santyajennṛpaṃ
មិនគួរបង្ហាញដល់ស្វាមីអំពីអ្វីដែលសម្ងាត់ អ្វីដែលជាចំណុចងាយរងគ្រោះ និងអំពីមន្ត្រ។ គួរស្វែងរកការរស់នៅពីអ្នកដែលមានចិត្តភ្ជាប់ពាក់ព័ន្ធ (មេត្តាករុណា) ហើយគួរចាកចេញពីព្រះមហាក្សត្រដែលក្លាយជាមិនអើពើ (បាត់សេចក្តីពេញចិត្ត)។
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in rājadharma/nīti)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Confidentiality and risk management in royal service: protect secrets, vulnerabilities, and mantra; seek livelihood under a benevolent patron; exit service under an indifferent ruler.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"गुह्य-रक्षण and विरक्त-नृप-त्याग (Confidentiality and leaving a disaffected king)","lookup_keywords":["गुह्य","मर्म","मन्त्र","प्रकाशन","विरक्तनृप"],"quick_summary":"Do not reveal secrets, vulnerabilities, or mantras of the master; secure livelihood with a benevolent patron, and withdraw from a king who has become indifferent—prioritizing safety and stability."}
Concept: गोपनीयधर्म—guarding secrets and ‘mर्म’ (critical vulnerabilities) as ethical duty; विवेक in choosing/abandoning patronage when dharma and safety are threatened.
Application: Maintain strict confidentiality (especially strategic and spiritual assets); evaluate patron’s goodwill; plan safe exit when leadership becomes hostile/indifferent and support collapses.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma / Nīti-śāstra (Ethics of kingship and conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court adviser holds a sealed scroll (mantra/counsel) close to the chest while shadowy eavesdroppers lurk; the adviser then departs respectfully from a cold, indifferent king, seeking a benevolent patron.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic secrecy scene: adviser with sealed palm-leaf bundle marked ‘मन्त्र’; lurking spies in stylized shadow; second panel shows adviser walking away from a king with averted face (विरक्त); rich reds/ochres, bold eyes, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, adviser with gold-highlighted sealed manuscript; protective gesture over the heart; king on throne with dimmed aura indicating विरक्ति; adviser steps toward a benevolent patron figure with brighter halo; heavy gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional imagery: icons for गुह्य, मर्म, मन्त्र (lock, vulnerable point on armor, sacred syllable); adviser shown refusing to speak; final scene shows orderly resignation from service; fine lines and soft gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace interior with discreet intrigue; adviser conceals a document while courtiers whisper; later, he exits the durbar as the king turns away; detailed textiles, architectural arches, subtle lighting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mantrañca = mantram + ca (m+c → ñc). raktād vṛttim = raktāt + vṛttim (t+v sandhi; written d). santyajennṛpam = santyajet + nṛpam (t+n → nn).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238 (rajadharma: secrecy, counsel, servant duties); Agni Purana mantra-related sections (general: mantra-lakshana and prayoga, where secrecy is implied)
FAQs
It teaches nīti (statecraft ethics): protect confidential information (secrets, vulnerabilities, and mantras/counsel) and align one’s support with a committed patron, avoiding a ruler who has become indifferent.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance guidance—discretion, patronage, and political judgment—showing its wide scope as an instructional compendium.
Guarding mantras and confidential trust is treated as dharmic restraint (saṃyama), while avoiding an unjust or indifferent ruler supports righteous living and reduces complicity in adharma.