Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
राज्यस्त्रीस्थानदेशानां ज्ञानस्य च बलस्य च अपहारी मदो मानः पीडा वैषयिकी तथा
rājyastrīsthānadeśānāṃ jñānasya ca balasya ca apahārī mado mānaḥ pīḍā vaiṣayikī tathā
Mada (mabuk/kelalaian) dan māna (kesombongan) ialah perompak—merampas kerajaan, wanita (yakni hubungan), tempat dan wilayah, serta juga pengetahuan dan kekuatan; dan demikian pula ada penderitaan yang timbul daripada objek-objek indera (viṣaya).
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical governance training: identify and restrain vices (intoxication, pride, sense-indulgence) that erode authority, relationships, territory, knowledge, and strength.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mada–Māna as Robbers of Royal Prosperity","lookup_keywords":["mada","mana","rajya","vishaya","niti"],"quick_summary":"Intoxication and pride steal away kingship, relationships, territory, learning, and power; sense-object indulgence brings torment. The practical takeaway is disciplined self-control as a pillar of rule."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Inner enemies (mada, māna, viṣaya-āsakti) cause outer loss; self-mastery safeguards dharma and power.
Application: For leaders: institute personal vows (niyama), counsel, and accountability to prevent intoxication, arrogance, and indulgence from corrupting judgment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Ethics, and the Vices that Undermine Rule)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king tempted by wine and flattery loses grip on scepter and scrolls; shadowy figures labeled mada and māna snatch symbols of territory, knowledge, and strength; viṣaya appears as alluring objects causing distress.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural allegory: king with crown and scepter, personified Mada and Māna as dark attendants stealing regalia and palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized sense-objects around, strong outlines, symbolic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore allegorical painting with gold, king on throne, two demon-like figures (Mada, Māna) pulling away crown and sword, glittering sense-objects at base, ornate gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style moral illustration, refined faces, subtle shading: king turning away from wine cup, counselor presenting a niti text, background shows losses averted, delicate linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature moral scene: courtly banquet with wine, king’s distracted gaze, minister admonishing, symbolic items (map, book, mace) slipping away, detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राज्यस्त्रीस्थानदेशानां = राज्य + स्त्री + स्थान + देशानाम् (द्वन्द्व-समास); अन्यत्र सन्धिः साधारणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (vices undermining rule); Agni Purana ethical sections on self-control and conduct
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma-vidyā: a practical governance teaching that leaders must restrain intoxication and pride, since these vices erode authority, judgment, and capability, and lead to suffering driven by sense-pleasures.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves political-ethical psychology: it analyzes inner causes (mada, māna, viṣaya) that destabilize rule, linking personal discipline to state stability—an encyclopedic blend of ethics and governance.
By warning that sense-driven pride and intoxication “steal” one’s virtues and station, the verse frames self-mastery as a protector of dharma; indulgence in viṣaya leads to pīḍā (karmic suffering) and loss of merit and authority.