Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 32
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
रक्षेच्च सर्वतस्त्वेनं पिता पुत्रमिवौरसं संरक्ष्यमणो राज्ञा यः कुरुते धर्ममन्वहं
rakṣecca sarvatastvenaṃ pitā putramivaurasaṃ saṃrakṣyamaṇo rājñā yaḥ kurute dharmamanvahaṃ
ແລະກະສັດຄວນປົກປ້ອງເຂົາຈາກທຸກທິດ ເຫມືອນພໍ່ປົກປ້ອງລູກຊາຍແທ້ຂອງຕົນ; ເພາະຜູ້ທີ່ຖືກກະສັດປົກປ້ອງແບບນີ້ ຈະປະພຶດທຳມະທຸກມື້.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Protective governance: provide comprehensive security and patronage to dharmic persons (especially śrotriyas), enabling continuous practice and teaching of dharma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"King as father: all-sided protection (sarvatas-rakṣā)","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā","pitā-putra-nyāya","rājadharma","śrotriya","dharma-anvaham"],"quick_summary":"The king should protect the worthy like a father protects a legitimate son; such protection sustains daily dharma-practice and social righteousness."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: father like protecting son)
Concept: Protection (rakṣā) is not merely coercive power but nurturing guardianship that enables ethical life.
Application: Provide legal protection, safe residence, exemption from harassment, and material security for teachers/ascetics; ensure swift redress against intimidation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Kingly Duties)
Primary Rasa: vatsalya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king stands beside a Brahmana/teacher, placing a protective hand gesture while guards form a respectful perimeter; the scene echoes a father shielding a son.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with protective mudrā, a Brahmana with manuscripts, guards at four directions, warm vatsalya mood, stylized palace veranda and lamp motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold halo-like arch behind the king, the king blessing/protecting a Brahmana, ornate jewelry and textiles, symmetrical composition emphasizing guardianship","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction of ‘sarvatas-rakṣā’: four-direction guard placement, the king and protected scholar centered, fine linework and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly protection scene with detailed uniforms, the king addressing guards, the scholar escorted safely, architectural depth and patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rakṣecca → rakṣet + ca; sarvatastvenaṃ → sarvataḥ + tu + enam; putramivaurasam → putram + iva + aurasam; dharmamanvaham → dharmam + anvaham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: welfare and protection duties (222.30-34)
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma as applied governance-vidya: the king’s technical duty is comprehensive protection of subjects, modeled on a father’s protection of his legitimate son, enabling citizens to practice dharma consistently.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and arts, the Agni Purana also codifies practical statecraft: this verse is a governance maxim linking public security to social morality, showing the text’s coverage of law and political ethics.
By protecting subjects, the king becomes a direct support of dharma; the protected person can perform righteous duties daily, increasing merit and stabilizing moral order in society.