Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
पानं स्त्री मृगया द्यूतं व्यसनानि महीपतेः आलस्यं स्तब्धता दर्पः प्रमादो द्वैधकारिता
pānaṃ strī mṛgayā dyūtaṃ vyasanāni mahīpateḥ ālasyaṃ stabdhatā darpaḥ pramādo dvaidhakāritā
ការផឹកស្រា ការលួងលោមស្ត្រី ការប្រមាញ់ និងការលេងល្បែងស៊ីសង ជាវិស័យញៀនរបស់ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ; ដូចគ្នានេះទៀត មានភាពខ្ជិលច្រអូស ភាពរឹងរូស (ចចេស) ភាពអួតអាង ការធ្វេសប្រហែស និងភាពពីរមុខ។
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Personal discipline for rulers: identify and avoid addictions and character-faults that degrade judgment, security, and administration; supports leadership training and ethical governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mahīpati-vyasana (Royal Addictions and Faults)","lookup_keywords":["pāna","strī","mṛgayā","dyūta","ālasyādayaḥ"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists classic royal vices—intoxicants, womanizing, hunting, gambling—and mental/behavioral faults like laziness, stubbornness, arrogance, negligence, and duplicity. Avoidance is framed as a prerequisite for stable rule."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Indriya-nigraha (sense-control) and removal of inner enemies (faults) as the foundation of righteous kingship.
Application: Implement personal codes: abstinence/moderation, scheduled duties, accountability companions, and transparent decision-making to counter duplicity and negligence.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Kingship, Governance, and Political Ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cautionary montage: the king tempted by wine, gambling, and sensuality; distracted in hunting; contrasted with an ideal vigilant king practicing restraint and attentive governance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left shows king amid wine cups, dice, and hunting scene; right shows composed king in council; vivid colors, symbolic moral contrast, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, moral allegory with gold-leaf highlights: vices personified around the king (wine, dice, hunt), contrasted with a radiant disciplined king; rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional moral chart: each vice depicted in small panels with labels (pāna, dyūta, ālasya, dviadha-kāritā), fine linework and clear sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scenes of indulgence (wine party, dice game) and a separate scene of sober durbar; detailed textiles, realistic expressions, narrative contrast"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Dhanyasi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi requiring resolution beyond standard euphony; list is in nominative enumeration.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma discussions of vyasana and kingly conduct
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma-nīti: a practical governance guideline identifying specific vyasanas (ruinous addictions and character-faults) that a ruler must avoid to protect judgment, stability, and public order.
Alongside ritual, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves statecraft: it catalogues political-ethical hazards (vyasana) and thus functions as a compendium of rulership norms comparable to nīti/artha traditions.
For a king, these vices are portrayed as adharma-generating causes that cloud discernment and lead to harmful actions; avoiding them supports dharma, reduces sinful fallout, and strengthens righteous rule.