Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
मूलं स्वामी स वै रक्ष्यस्तस्माद्राज्यं विशेषतः राज्याङ्गद्रोहिणं हन्यात्काले तीक्ष्णो मृदुर्भवेत्
mūlaṃ svāmī sa vai rakṣyastasmādrājyaṃ viśeṣataḥ rājyāṅgadrohiṇaṃ hanyātkāle tīkṣṇo mṛdurbhavet
स्वामी (राजा) हेच मूळ आहे; म्हणून त्याचे रक्षण निश्चयाने करावे—त्यामुळे राज्याचे विशेषतः संरक्षण करावे. राज्याच्या अंगांशी द्रोह करणाऱ्यास काळानुसार दंड द्यावा, आवश्यक असल्यास वधही करावा; आणि वेळ‑परिस्थितीनुसार कधी कठोर तर कधी मृदू व्हावे.
Lord Agni (teaching governance/danda-niti to sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Executive protection and continuity planning; calibrated punishment policy—decisive action against treason while adjusting severity to time, place, and circumstance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Svami as mula (root) and kala-yukta danda (timely punishment)","lookup_keywords":["svami-mula","raja-raksha","rajya-anga-droha","danda","kala-yukti"],"quick_summary":"The ruler is the root of the polity and must be protected; safeguarding the kingdom follows from this. Treason against the state’s limbs warrants severe punishment, yet enforcement should be context-sensitive—stern or gentle as appropriate."}
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Danda is dharmic when applied for protection of the polity and calibrated by kala (time) and yukti (judicious reasoning).
Application: Establish clear treason standards and due process; protect leadership and institutions; apply penalties proportionately, escalating only when necessary for public safety.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Statecraft, and Punishment)
Primary Rasa: Veera
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guarded king symbolized as the root of a great tree labeled ‘rajya’; a traitor is seized and judged; the king alternates between stern command and gentle mercy depending on circumstance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, allegory: king as root beneath a flourishing tree of state, guards with spears, traitor bound before a tribunal, contrasting stern and compassionate gestures, traditional palette and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned king with gold aura, protective attendants, justice scene with scales and sword, traitor subdued, lavish gold work emphasizing authority","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, courtroom-like instructional scene: minister reading charges, king signaling measured punishment, guards present, clear narrative sequencing and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed darbar justice: accused traitor, witnesses, scribes recording verdict, king’s composed face, soldiers at doors, architectural depth and realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्ष्यस्तस्मात् = रक्ष्यः + तस्मात्; तस्माद्राज्यम् = तस्मात् + राज्यम्; राज्याङ्गद्रोहिणम् = राज्य + अङ्ग + द्रोहिणम्; हन्यात्काले = हन्यात् + काले; मृदुर्भवेत् = मृदुः + भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana saptanga doctrine (224.11); Agni Purana Rajadharma discussions on danda and governance (surrounding chapters)
FAQs
It imparts Danda-niti (applied political jurisprudence): protect the ruler as the state’s foundation, punish treason against the state’s constituents, and calibrate severity or leniency to time and context.
Alongside ritual and theology, it preserves practical governance doctrine—state protection, definitions of treason against the polity, and situational punishment—showing the Agni Purana as a compendium of dharma and public administration.
Upholding rajadharma by safeguarding social order and restraining betrayal is treated as a dharmic duty; timely, proportionate punishment aligns the ruler’s action with righteousness, reducing adharma and its karmic fallout.