Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
बालो वृद्धो दीर्घरोगस् तथा बन्धुवहिष्कृतः मौरुको भीरुकजनो लुब्धो लुब्धजनस् तथा
bālo vṛddho dīrgharogas tathā bandhuvahiṣkṛtaḥ mauruko bhīrukajano lubdho lubdhajanas tathā
കുട്ടി, വൃദ്ധൻ, ദീർഘരോഗബാധിതൻ, ബന്ധുക്കൾ പുറത്താക്കിയവൻ; അതുപോലെ മൂഢൻ, ഭീരു, ലോഭി, ലോഭികളുടെ കൂട്ടുകാരൻ.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Governance risk-screening: identify persons unfit for sensitive roles (witnessing, counsel, confidential missions) due to vulnerability, incapacity, or corrupting associations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Categories of Vulnerable/Unreliable Persons (Governance-Ethics)","lookup_keywords":["bala","vriddha","dirgharoga","lubdha"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists types of persons whose judgment or reliability may be compromised—by age, illness, social exclusion, fearfulness, folly, greed, or greedy company—useful for legal-ethical and administrative filtering."}
Concept: Dharma in governance includes discerning competence and susceptibility; association (sanga) shapes conduct.
Application: In appointments and legal processes, assess capacity (age/health), independence (not ostracized or fearful), and integrity (not greedy or in greedy circles).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Nyaya (Governance and legal-ethical classification)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister presents a roster to the king; around them are small portraits: a child, an elderly man, a sick person on a cot, an outcast turned away by relatives, a fool, a timid man shrinking back, a greedy man clutching coins, and a group of greedy companions whispering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with the king and minister in a palace; eight circular vignettes showing the listed person-types with clear gestures (fear, greed, illness); traditional lamp-lit ambience and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style central king with gold arch; below, embossed medallions of the eight types—child, elder, chronic patient, ostracized man, fool, timid man, greedy man with coins, greedy group; jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting as an instructional chart: labeled figures in neat rows with fine brushwork; minister holding a manuscript; emphasis on clarity and didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature administrative scene: wazir shows a register; marginal portraits of the eight categories; delicate facial expressions for fear and greed; detailed textiles and court setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dīrgharogas = dīrgha + rogaḥ; bhīrukajano = bhīruka + janaḥ; lubdhajanas = lubdha + janaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma lists of amatyadosha (ministerial defects) and durjana-lakshana (bad men); Agni Purana Nyaya-related classifications of persons fit/unfit for testimony or office (contextual)
FAQs
It provides a governance/legal-ethical classification: a practical list of persons considered unsuitable for certain responsibilities or proceedings due to incapacity (age/illness), social disrepute (kin-ostracism), or character flaws (folly, cowardice, greed, and greedy association).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs administrative and juridical norms; this verse functions like a dharma-legal screening checklist, showing the text’s wide scope across ethics, social policy, and statecraft.
It underscores dharmic prudence: entrusting duties to the capable and virtuous prevents harm and injustice, while avoiding greed-driven counsel reduces adharma and the karmic burden that follows from unfair or reckless decisions.