Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
उत्थापितेन नीत्या च मानुषं व्यसनं हरेत् मन्त्रो मन्त्रफलावाप्तिः कार्यानुष्ठानमायतिः
utthāpitena nītyā ca mānuṣaṃ vyasanaṃ haret mantro mantraphalāvāptiḥ kāryānuṣṭhānamāyatiḥ
योग्य उद्यम व नीतीने मानुष व्यसन दूर करावे. ‘मंत्र’ तो जो मंत्रफल प्राप्त करून देतो; आणि कार्याचे यथाविधि अनुष्ठानच त्याची सिद्धी (यशस्वी पूर्तता) घडवते.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Operational governance: remove human-caused distress through initiative and policy; define mantra pragmatically by its efficacy, and define successful action by correct execution leading to completion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Policy as Remedy; Functional Definitions of Mantra and Task-Execution","lookup_keywords":["niti","utthapana","mantra-lakshana","karyanushthana","phala"],"quick_summary":"Human-made calamities are removed by energetic, well-applied policy. ‘Mantra’ is defined by producing its intended result, and ‘proper execution’ by ensuring completion—an efficacy-based standard for counsel and action."}
Concept: Efficacy (phala) is the test of counsel and practice: mantra and action are validated by results and completion.
Application: Adopt outcome-based governance: define good counsel by measurable results; define good implementation by on-time completion and sustained follow-through.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma-Niti (Governance, Policy, and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister presents a concise counsel-scroll labeled ‘mantra’ to the king; beside them, officials execute a plan—workers repairing damage, scribes tracking milestones—showing that counsel and action are judged by results and completion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace veranda with king and minister holding a palm-leaf ‘mantra’ counsel, background vignettes of coordinated workers and scribes completing tasks, strong outlines, symbolic clarity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king and minister under ornate arch with gold leaf, counsel-scroll glowing, side scenes of successful project completion (restored gate, stocked granary), rich ornamentation and gilded highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: top—definition of mantra as phala-siddhi; bottom—karyanushthana as completion, shown via stepwise execution (planning, assigning, doing, finishing), fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed administrative scene: minister advising, clerks with registers, supervisors directing repairs, completed work celebrated subtly; realistic faces, architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mantraphalāvāptiḥ → mantra-phala-avāptiḥ; kāryānuṣṭhānamāyatiḥ → kārya-anuṣṭhānam + āyatiḥ (m + ā sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma on mantri (counsel), niti, and danda; Agni Purana mantra sections where mantra-phala is discussed in ritual contexts
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (statecraft/practical policy): distress is removed through energized initiative and wise policy, and “mantra” is defined functionally as result-producing counsel/formula validated by its fruit.
It shows the Agni Purana moving beyond mythology into applied disciplines—here, governance and pragmatic definitions (mantra, successful execution), typical of its encyclopedic coverage of dharma, polity, and practical sciences.
The verse frames right policy and disciplined action as dharmic means to reduce suffering; efficacy (phala) becomes the measure of mantra and action, encouraging responsible, results-aligned conduct.