Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
धनवान्धर्ममाप्नोति धनवान् काममश्नुते उच्छिद्यन्ते विना ह्य् अर्थैः क्रिया ग्रीष्मे सरिद्यथा
dhanavāndharmamāpnoti dhanavān kāmamaśnute ucchidyante vinā hy arthaiḥ kriyā grīṣme saridyathā
ຜູ້ມີຊັບສິນຍ່ອມບັນລຸທຳ; ຜູ້ມີຊັບສິນຍ່ອມເສບສຸກໃນກາມ. ເພາະຫາກຂາດອັດຖະ (ທຶນທຣັບ) ກິດຈະກຳແລະພິທີກຳຍ່ອມຢຸດຊະງັກ ດັ່ງແມ່ນ້ຳແຫ້ງໃນລະດູຮ້ອນ.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Statecraft and household policy: prioritize stable revenue/wealth creation to sustain dharma (ritual, charity, social duties) and legitimate enjoyment (kama); plan budgets so essential rites and public works do not collapse in scarcity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Artha as the Support of Dharma and Kriya","lookup_keywords":["artha","dharma-artha-sambandha","kriya","raja-dharma","wealth"],"quick_summary":"Wealth (artha) is presented as the practical foundation enabling dharma and kama; without resources, actions and rites cease, like a river drying in summer."}
Alamkara Type: Upama (simile)
Concept: Artha is an enabling cause (sahakari-karana) for dharma and worldly undertakings; ideals require material support.
Application: Design governance/household systems (taxation, savings, granaries, endowments) so religious and civic obligations remain continuous through lean seasons.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Arthashastra (Wealth, governance, and the practical basis of dharma and action)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or householder with full granaries and treasury enabling rituals and public works; contrasted with a dried summer riverbed where activities stop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, a crowned king beside overflowing granary and treasury, priests performing yajna with ghee and offerings; in the background a parched riverbed under summer sun, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central seated king holding a palm-leaf account ledger and coin purse, gilded granary motifs, small vignette of a dried river in summer; rich reds, ornate borders, devotional-didactic tone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: treasury, granary, yajna-vedi, and a side panel showing river drying in grishma; delicate lines, soft shading, labeled objects (kosa, dhanya, yajna).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with accountants and priests, detailed river landscape in the distance showing low water in summer; fine brushwork, naturalistic figures, marginal notes indicating 'artha' and 'kriya'."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनवान्+धर्मम्→धनवान्धर्मम्; धर्मम्+आप्नोति→धर्ममाप्नोति; कामम्+अश्नुते→काममश्नुते; हि+अर्थैः→ह्यर्थैः; सरित्+यथा→सरिद्यथा (त्→द् before य)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Niti sections on taxation, dana, and protection of subjects (same khanda context); Agni Purana discussions on yajna and dana requiring dravya (materials)
FAQs
It teaches the practical principle that artha (material resources) is the enabling condition for kriyā—both worldly undertakings and dhārmic/ritual performances—so planning and support of resources is essential.
By linking dharma and ritual action to artha, it reflects the text’s statecraft-and-ethics strand (rajadharma/arthashastra), integrating spiritual goals with economic and administrative realism.
It emphasizes that sustaining dharma (including charity and rites) requires responsible acquisition and maintenance of artha; neglect of means leads to the cessation of meritorious action, like a river drying in summer.