Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
वृकवच्चावलुम्पेत शशवच्च विनिष्पतेत् दृढप्रहरी च भवेत् तथा शूकरवन्नृपः
vṛkavaccāvalumpeta śaśavacca viniṣpatet dṛḍhapraharī ca bhavet tathā śūkaravannṛpaḥ
രാജാവ് ചെന്നായപോലെ പിടിച്ചു കൊള്ളയടിക്കണം, മുയലുപോലെ വേഗത്തിൽ ചാടി മാറണം; അവൻ ദൃഢപ്രഹാരിയായിരിക്കണം, കാട്ടുപന്നിപോലെ നിരന്തരം മുന്നോട്ട് തള്ളിപ്പോകണം।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for a ruler’s tactical temperament: when to strike, when to withdraw, and how to maintain relentless pressure in campaigns and enforcement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-nīti: Animal-simile model for attack, withdrawal, and relentless advance","lookup_keywords":["rāja-nīti","vṛka-nyāya","śaśa-nyāya","śūkara-nyāya","praharin"],"quick_summary":"The king should combine predatory seizure (wolf), rapid disengagement (hare), decisive striking, and relentless forward drive (boar) to prevail in conflict and governance."}
Alamkara Type: Upama
Concept: Rāja-dharma requires calibrated force: firmness with prudence, aggression with timely withdrawal.
Application: In policy and security, avoid both timidity and reckless persistence; apply force proportionately and strategically.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Kingship, strategy, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in armor embodies four animal-temperaments: wolf seizing spoils, hare leaping away, a firm striker poised to hit, and a boar charging forward—shown as symbolic vignettes around the throne.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: crowned king with sword and shield, four circular medallions showing wolf seizing, hare springing, warrior striking, boar charging; flat warm palette, ornate borders, temple mural aesthetics.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central enthroned king with gold halo and rich jewelry; embossed gold medallions depicting wolf, hare, boar; strong reds and greens, decorative floral motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional tableau with labeled animal-similes near the king; delicate lines, muted colors, emphasis on clarity of gestures (seize, withdraw, strike, press forward).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court scene with the king receiving a military briefing; margins illustrate wolf raid, hare retreat, boar charge; fine detailing, naturalistic animals, subdued background landscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वृकवत्+च→वृकवच्च; शशवत्+च→शशवच्च; शूकरवत्+नृपः→शूकरवन्नृपः (त्/द् + न → न्न).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Nīti sections on kingly qualities, espionage, punishment, and protection of subjects
FAQs
This verse imparts nīti (statecraft) as practical tactical conduct: strike decisively (wolf), withdraw swiftly when needed (hare), and maintain steadfast offensive force (boar-like persistence).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond ritual into applied governance—condensing political-military strategy into memorable animal similes, alongside its other domains like temple rites, medicine, and literary theory.
When aligned with dharma, such disciplined strength and prudence support protection of subjects (praja-rakṣaṇa), which is treated as a king’s merit-generating duty rather than mere aggression.