Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 17
Prātyahika-Rāja-Karma
Daily Duties of a King
चरान् सम्प्रेष्य भुक्तान्नमन्तःपुरचरो भवेत् वाद्यगीतैर् अक्षितो ऽन्यैर् एवन्नित्यञ्चरेन्नृपः
carān sampreṣya bhuktānnamantaḥpuracaro bhavet vādyagītair akṣito 'nyair evannityañcarennṛpaḥ
हेर पाठवून आणि भोजन करून राजा अंतःपुरात संचार करावा. वाद्य-गीत व इतर रक्षणोपायांनी सुरक्षित राहून तो नित्यचर्येप्रमाणे वागावा.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Daily royal schedule: intelligence dispatch, regulated movement within the palace, and protective court protocol using attendants and controlled ambience.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nṛpasya Ājasrika-dinacaryā (Spies, meal, and inner-apartment protocol)","lookup_keywords":["cāra","antaḥpura","rāja-dinacaryā","rakṣā","vādyagīta"],"quick_summary":"After sending spies and taking food, the king should circulate within the inner apartments under layered protection—attendants and controlled soundscape (music/singing) functioning as both protocol and security."}
Concept: Rājadharma requires constant vigilance and regulated conduct; security is maintained through intelligence and protocol.
Application: Institutionalize a daily schedule: intelligence briefings before leisure/private movement; maintain layered security and controlled access in sensitive zones.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance & Court Protocol)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king, having finished his meal, dispatches spies and then walks within the inner palace corridors, surrounded by attendants; musicians play veena and drums while singers perform, creating a guarded yet refined ambience.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vivid colors, ornate palace interior with lamp-lit corridors; king in royal attire moving with attendants; spies receiving sealed orders; musicians with chenda and veena; dignified, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights on palace pillars and royal ornaments; central king seated after meal, handing instructions to a spy; side panel of musicians and singers; rich reds and greens, embossed jewelry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading; instructional court scene: king’s daily routine sequence—meal, spy dispatch, guarded walk; labeled attendants and instruments; calm, orderly palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace architecture and textiles; king strolling in zenana corridor with eunuch/guards; discreet spy at doorway; musicians in a corner; fine facial expressions and patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुक्तान्नम् = भुक्त + अन्नम्; अक्षितोऽन्यैः = अक्षितः + अन्यैः; एवन्नित्यम् = एवम् + नित्यम्; चरेन्नृपः = चरेत् + नृपः; वाद्यगीतैर् = वाद्यगीतैः (विसर्ग-लोपः/रेफादेशः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on cāra (spies) and rāja-rakṣā (royal protection); Agni Purana court protocol passages around the Ājasrika chapter
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti/statecraft practice: dispatching spies for intelligence, then following a regulated palace routine with protective arrangements and attendants.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance—court management, intelligence networks (carāḥ), and protocols for royal security—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
By maintaining disciplined daily conduct and protecting the realm through vigilance, the king upholds dharma; orderly rule and safeguarding subjects are treated as merit-bearing duties of kingship.