Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
प्रसुप्तं भोजनव्यग्रमभूमिष्ठमसुस्थितं चौराग्निभयवित्रस्तं वृष्टिवातसमाहतं
prasuptaṃ bhojanavyagramabhūmiṣṭhamasusthitaṃ caurāgnibhayavitrastaṃ vṛṣṭivātasamāhataṃ
Orang yang sedang tidur; orang yang lalai ketika makan; orang yang terbaring di tanah; orang yang tidak teguh; orang yang ketakutan akan pencuri atau api; dan orang yang dihentam hujan serta angin—mereka ini hendaklah dianggap lemah dan wajar dilindungi.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Legal-protective rule: identifying persons in vulnerable states (asleep, eating, unsteady, weather-struck, fear-struck) who must be safeguarded and not exploited; informs policing and adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Helpless/vulnerable persons deserving protection (anatha/ashakta-lakshana)","lookup_keywords":["prasupta","bhojana-vyagra","abhumi-stha","asu-sthita","chora-agni-bhaya"],"quick_summary":"Defines situational helplessness: sleep, distraction while eating, lying on the ground, unsteadiness, terror from thieves/fire, and being battered by rain/wind. Practically, it guides officials and citizens to protect and not blame or penalize such persons unfairly."}
Concept: Daya and raksha: dharma requires safeguarding those temporarily incapable of self-protection.
Application: In law enforcement and community conduct: do not harass, fine, or coerce such persons; instead provide assistance and ensure safe passage.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Governance, Law, and Procedural Rules)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence-like tableau: a sleeping traveler, a person eating distractedly, someone fallen on the ground, a staggering figure, a frightened person near thieves/fire, and a person drenched by rain and buffeted by wind—while guards/citizens offer protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frieze of six vignettes with bold outlines: each vulnerable state shown clearly; protective attendants with calm faces; rain and wind stylized as swirling bands","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, six-panel narrative with gold borders; each panel shows one helpless condition; protective figure (guard/king’s officer) rendered with dignified posture and gold accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional storyboard: labeled-like clarity in gestures—sleeping, eating, fallen, unsteady, fear of fire/thieves, rain-wind exposure; delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed street/roadside scene with multiple groups; subtle expressions of fear and fatigue; guards intervening; realistic rain and wind effects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भोजनव्यग्रमभूमिष्ठमसुस्थितं = भोजनव्यग्रम् + अभूमिष्ठम् + असुस्थितम् (external sandhi: ...व्यग्रम् + अभूमिष्ठम् → ...व्यग्रमभूमिष्ठम्; ...भूमिष्ठम् + असुस्थितम् → ...भूमिष्ठमसुस्थितम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Vyavahara rules on protection, punishment, and exceptions for incapacity
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma/nyaya guidance: identifying states of vulnerability (sleep, distraction, exposure, panic, weather-affliction) in which a person is considered helpless and must be protected rather than exploited.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also catalogs practical governance norms—here, a quasi-legal list defining vulnerable conditions relevant to policing, public duty, and adjudication.
Protecting those in helpless states is treated as dharmic conduct; harming or taking advantage of them increases adharma and negative karmic consequence, while safeguarding them accrues merit.