Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 47
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
अवेक्ष्यैतद्भयं काले आददीत करं नृपः अभ्यन्तरं शरीरं स्वं वाह्यं राष्ट्रञ्च रक्षयेत्
avekṣyaitadbhayaṃ kāle ādadīta karaṃ nṛpaḥ abhyantaraṃ śarīraṃ svaṃ vāhyaṃ rāṣṭrañca rakṣayet
ഈ ഭയം യുക്തമായ സമയത്ത് വിലയിരുത്തി രാജാവ് നികുതി ഈടാക്കണം; അകത്തായി സ്വന്തം ശരീരത്തെ കാക്കുകയും പുറത്തായി രാജ്യത്തെയും രാഷ്ട്രത്തെയും സംരക്ഷിക്കുകയും വേണം।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Risk-based taxation and layered security: levy revenue when threat is assessed; maintain personal security and ensure external defense of the realm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kāla-anusāra kara-grahaṇa and internal–external protection","lookup_keywords":["kara (tax)","kāla (timing)","bhaya-avekṣaṇa (risk assessment)","ātma-rakṣā","rāṣṭra-rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Taxation is justified when danger is timely assessed; the ruler must secure himself (internal safeguards) while defending the kingdom (external safeguards)."}
Concept: Rāja-dharma balances revenue extraction with protection duties; self-preservation is instrumental to public protection.
Application: Create a governance protocol: threat assessment → emergency levy → personal security measures → external defense deployment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, taxation, and protection of the realm)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vigilant king in council assesses looming danger, orders a measured tax levy, and directs guards for his inner security while commanders fortify the borders of the kingdom.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: crowned king seated in sabhā with ministers, palm-leaf documents, guards at inner chamber, distant ramparts and watchtowers; earthy reds, greens, bold outlines, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: regal king with halo-like prabhā, gold-embossed throne, ministers presenting tax ledger, soldiers at palace gate and border fort; rich jewel tones, heavy gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court scene with labeled elements—tax scroll, inner guard detail, outer fortification plan; delicate lines, soft shading, restrained gold highlights.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar with accountants and scribes, the king issuing orders; split background showing inner palace security and outer frontier troops; fine brushwork, patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अवेक्ष्य+एतत्→अवेक्ष्यैतत्; एतत्+भयम्→एतद्भयम् (त्→द्); राष्ट्रम्+च→राष्ट्रञ्च (म्→ञ् before च)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238 (Rājadharma); Agni Purana 239 (Ṣāḍguṇya and maṇḍala)
FAQs
It imparts practical rajadharma: in times of danger the king may levy kara (tax) as an emergency measure, coupled with the duty to maintain internal security (protecting the ruler’s person/administration) and external security (protecting the realm).
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves applied political science—fiscal policy under crisis and the protective obligations of kingship—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences.
It frames taxation as dharmically permissible when justified by public danger, provided the king uses it for protection; righteous protection of subjects and the realm is treated as a core merit-bearing duty (dharma) of kingship.