Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 34
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
योगविज्ञानसत्त्वारूढ्यं महापक्षं प्रियम्वदं आयातिक्षममद्वैधं मित्रं कुर्वीत सत्कुलं
yogavijñānasattvārūḍhyaṃ mahāpakṣaṃ priyamvadaṃ āyātikṣamamadvaidhaṃ mitraṃ kurvīta satkulaṃ
Hendaklah dijadikan sahabat seorang daripada keluarga baik—yang teguh dalam yoga dan pengetahuan sejati, disokong kuat (oleh sekutu), tutur katanya manis, mampu menanggung malang, bebas daripada mabuk keangkuhan, dan tidak bermuka dua.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within a Nīti/Rājadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Criteria for selecting trustworthy allies/friends in diplomacy and social conduct: competence, loyalty, resilience, and pleasant speech.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Qualifications of a friend/ally (mitra-lakshana): yogic knowledge, support-base, sweet speech, endurance, humility, single-mindedness","lookup_keywords":["mitra-lakshana","priyamvada","advaidha","ayati-kshama","satkula"],"quick_summary":"Recommends choosing allies from good families who are grounded in knowledge and self-discipline, well-supported, courteous in speech, resilient in adversity, humble, and not double-minded."}
Concept: Friendship as a moral-psychological discipline: choose companions with knowledge, self-mastery, and non-duplicity.
Application: In alliances and close counsel, prioritize character markers (humility, resilience, clarity) over mere advantage.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics of friendship and social conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ruler or noble discerningly choosing a friend/ally: a calm, learned person with modest demeanor, surrounded by supportive companions, speaking sweetly and offering steady counsel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two dignified figures in conversation, one with yogic composure (simple posture, serene face), attendants indicating strong support, warm colors emphasizing harmony and trust","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, two nobles exchanging respectful gestures, gold detailing on garments, subtle symbols of learning (palm-leaf manuscript), composition highlighting humility and sweetness of speech","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic scene: labeled virtues around the ally (sweet speech, endurance, non-duplicity), refined linework, calm interior court setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court garden meeting, refined expressions, a learned ally presenting counsel, small group of supporters behind, delicate flora and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compound segmentation: yogavijñānasattvārūḍhyam as multi-member tatpuruṣa; priyamvadaṃ = priyam+vadaṃ; satkulaṃ = sat+kulaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Niti passages on ministers, allies, and counsel (mantri/mitra selection)
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (practical ethics): criteria for selecting a trustworthy friend—grounded in yoga and discriminative knowledge, supported, pleasant-spoken, patient under adversity, humble, and not deceitful.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves statecraft and social ethics; this verse is a compact Nīti guideline (mitra-lakṣaṇa) relevant to governance and everyday conduct.
Choosing companions of sattva, humility, and steadiness supports dharmic action and mental purity; association with such friends strengthens right judgment and reduces karmically harmful choices arising from pride or deceit.