Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
आत्मनो ऽभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी पीड्यमानः परेण वा देशकालबलोपेतः प्रारभेतेह विग्रहं
ātmano 'bhyudayākāṅkṣī pīḍyamānaḥ pareṇa vā deśakālabalopetaḥ prārabheteha vigrahaṃ
स्वतःच्या अभ्युदयाची इच्छा असो, किंवा शत्रूने पीडित केलेला असो—देश, काळ व बळ युक्त असता येथे विग्रह (युद्ध) आरंभ करावा.
Lord Agni (teaching statecraft principles in the Agni Purana tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"War-initiation criteria: undertake vigraha only when strategic conditions (desha-kala-bala) are favorable or when compelled by enemy harassment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Desha–Kala–Bala Criterion for Vigraha","lookup_keywords":["desha","kala","bala","vigraha","rajadharma"],"quick_summary":"A ruler should commence hostilities either to secure prosperity or to stop oppression, but only when terrain, timing, and strength align. This frames war as conditional and strategic, not impulsive."}
Concept: Justifiable force is bounded by prudence and capability; action should be timely and proportionate.
Application: Before escalation, assess environment, timing, and capacity; if compelled by aggression, respond when conditions favor success and minimize harm.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Governance, statecraft, conflict and policy)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ruler studies maps and seasonal signs with generals; troops assemble only after favorable omens of time and terrain, showing disciplined preparation for war.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with generals pointing to stylized landscape map, elephants and infantry in orderly rows, banners, emphasis on ritualized readiness, bold outlines, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king and commander under ornate arch with gold leaf, miniature map and weapons displayed, troops in background, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: three panels labeled desha-kala-bala (terrain, season, strength), king consulting ministers, careful shading and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, war council in pavilion, cartographic scroll, generals with spears and standards, distant camp scene, meticulous textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आत्मनो ऽभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी = आत्मनः + अभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी; अभ्युदयाकाङ्क्षी = अभ्युदय + आकाङ्क्षी; देशकालबलोपेतः = देश + काल + बल + उपेतः; प्रारभेतेह = प्रारभते + इह.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (sandhi–vigraha measures); Agni Purana dandaniti discussions on punishment and war
FAQs
It imparts a Dandanīti/Rājadharma rule for initiating war: begin vigraha only when the motive is legitimate (self-advancement or defense from oppression) and when strategic prerequisites—deśa (ground), kāla (timing), and bala (power)—are favorable.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance doctrine—decision-criteria for conflict—showing its coverage of polity, strategy, and applied ethics alongside ritual and myth.
It frames warfare as a regulated duty rather than impulse: action should be grounded in necessity and preparedness, reducing adharmic violence and aligning the ruler’s conduct with dharma-based responsibility.