Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
पितृपैतामहो वश्यः संहतो दत्तवेतनः विख्यातपौरुषो जन्यः कुशुलः शकुनैर् वृतः
pitṛpaitāmaho vaśyaḥ saṃhato dattavetanaḥ vikhyātapauruṣo janyaḥ kuśulaḥ śakunair vṛtaḥ
അവൻ പിതൃ-പൈതാമഹ വംശജനായിരിക്കണം; നിയന്ത്രണയോഗ്യൻ, ശാസനയോടെ ഏകോപിതൻ, വേതനം ലഭിക്കുന്ന അനുചരൻ; വീര്യത്തിൽ പ്രസിദ്ധൻ, ജന്യ (സാധാരണ യോദ്ധാവർഗ്ഗം)യിൽ ജനിച്ചവൻ, നിപുണൻ, ശകുനവിദ് (ശകുനലക്ഷണജ്ഞർ) ചുറ്റുമുള്ളവൻ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, as the Agni Purana’s primary narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Natya","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Dramaturgical characterization: defining traits of a particular character-type (retainer/warrior attendant) for staging, dialogue, and plot credibility, including the presence of omen-readers.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Character Profile: Disciplined Valorized Retainer with Shakuna-attendants","lookup_keywords":["natya-patra-lakshana","dattavetana","vikhyata-paurusha","janya","shakuni"],"quick_summary":"Defines a controlled, organized, salaried retainer of good lineage and proven valor, competent in duties and accompanied by omen-interpreting augurs—useful for realistic court/war scenes."}
Concept: Aucitya and social-role clarity: characters are defined by lineage, discipline, remuneration, reputation, and supporting specialists (augurs).
Application: For playwrights/directors: cast and costume such a retainer as orderly, obedient, valor-known; include shakuna specialists to motivate decisions and foreshadow events.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Natyashastra/Kavya: dramaturgy and character-types)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Court/Camp
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined retainer/warrior stands near the king or commander, receiving wages, with a compact troop formation behind; beside him, augurs observe birds/omens and consult signs before action.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, court-camp scene: valorous retainer with shield and sash, orderly soldiers in rows, shakuna-readers pointing to birds in the sky, bold colors and stylized faces, ornate border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central standing retainer with gold-highlighted ornaments, king’s hand offering a purse (vetana), small side vignette of augurs reading omens, rich gold work and symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework: character-study portrait of the retainer with labeled traits (vashya, samhata, dattavetana), augurs with palm-leaf notes, soft palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed military-court moment: retainer receiving payment, attendants and soldiers, augurs watching birds, realistic textiles and weapons, delicate landscape sky for omens."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शकुनैर् वृतः = शकुनैः + वृतः (visarga before v → r).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sahitya/Natya sections on character-types and dramaturgical propriety; Agni Purana Rajadharma: retainers, wages, and military attendants
FAQs
It imparts Sahitya/Natyashastra knowledge: a technical profile of a dramatic/courtly person (a disciplined, salaried retainer of known valor), including the convention of being accompanied by śakuna-jñā (augurs/omen-readers).
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana codifies performing-arts and literary theory; this verse preserves specialized dramaturgical descriptors (lineage, employ, prowess, entourage), showing the text’s coverage of courtly aesthetics and social typologies.
Indirectly, it supports dharmic conduct through right representation and discernment of character in narrative and theatre—promoting ethical judgment, social order, and disciplined service rather than prescribing a direct ritual act.