Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Sahāya-sampattiḥ (Securing Support/Allies): Royal Appointments, Court Offices, Spies, and Personnel Ethics
तथा प्रव्रजिताकारान् बलाबलविवेकिनः नैकस्य राजा श्रद्दध्याच्छ्रद्दध्याद् बहुवाक्यतः
tathā pravrajitākārān balābalavivekinaḥ naikasya rājā śraddadhyācchraddadhyād bahuvākyataḥ
അതുപോലെ സന്ന്യാസിയുടെ രൂപം ധരിച്ച് ബലവും അബലവും തിരിച്ചറിയുന്നവരെയും (ജാഗ്രതയോടെ കാണണം). രാജാവ് ഒരാളിൽ മാത്രം ആശ്രയിച്ച് വിശ്വസിക്കരുത്; പലരുടെയും വാക്കുകളാൽ മാത്രമേ ഉറപ്പുവരുത്തൂ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Decision-making protocol: consult renunciant-looking advisors who can assess strengths/weaknesses, but avoid single-point failure—seek corroboration from many counselors.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Corroborated Counsel; Caution with Renunciant Disguises","lookup_keywords":["pravrajita-akara","bala-abala-viveka","bahu-vakya","mantra-parishad","single-source-risk"],"quick_summary":"Even if an advisor appears ascetic and discerning, the king should not trust one voice alone; policy should be confirmed through multiple independent counsels."}
Concept: Epistemic humility in governance: avoid ekavakya (single testimony) and rely on bahuvakya (many corroborations).
Application: Use multi-source intelligence, peer review, and council deliberation; treat appearances (ascetic garb) as insufficient proof of virtue.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti-shastra / Governance and Counsel)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council listens to several advisors; among them a saffron-robed renunciant-looking figure speaks, while other ministers provide corroborating views; scribes record the many counsels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, council hall with seated ministers, one pravrajita-like advisor in ochre robes, king attentive, multiple speakers indicated by hand gestures, palm-leaf scribes, warm tones and frontal composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king on ornate throne with gold work, semicircle of ministers, ascetic-looking counselor with staff, emphasis on deliberation, rich textiles and gilded borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, structured council scene with clear grouping and calm expressions, scribes writing, multiple advisors speaking in turn, soft shading and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate council chamber, diverse advisors including an ascetic figure, layered architecture, attendants and scribes, subtle gestures showing debate and consensus-building"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pravrajitākārān = pravrajita + ākārān; balābalavivekinaḥ = bala + abala + vivekinaḥ; śraddadhyācchraddadhyād = śraddadhyāt + śraddadhyāt (with sandhi); bahuvākyataḥ = bahu-vākya-taḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma counsel on ministers, assemblies, and testing of disguised persons (ascetics/agents)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (political prudence): evaluate advisers—especially those with ascetic guise—by their ability to judge strengths and weaknesses, and confirm decisions through multiple counsels rather than one voice.
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves applied governance doctrine—how rulers should vet informants and advisors—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical administration alongside spiritual topics.
Sound discernment and avoidance of one-person reliance reduce injustice and harm; ethically governed decisions support dharma in rulership, limiting karmic fault arising from rash or manipulated counsel.