Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
वाग्मी प्रगल्भश् चक्षुष्मानुत्साही प्रतिपत्तिमान् स्तम्भचापलहीनश् च मैत्रः क्लेशसहः शुचिः
vāgmī pragalbhaś cakṣuṣmānutsāhī pratipattimān stambhacāpalahīnaś ca maitraḥ kleśasahaḥ śuciḥ
ସେ ବାକ୍ପଟୁ ଓ ପ୍ରଗଲ୍ଭ, ଦୂରଦର୍ଶୀ, ଉତ୍ସାହୀ ଏବଂ ସୁବିଚାରଶୀଳ ହେବା ଉଚିତ; ଅହଙ୍କାର ଓ ଚଞ୍ଚଳତାରହିତ; ମୈତ୍ରୀଭାବୀ, କ୍ଲେଶସହିଷ୍ଣୁ ଏବଂ ଶୁଚି ଆଚରଣବାନ୍ ହେବା ଉଚିତ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Behavioral and psychological profile for an ideal counsellor: communication, judgment, emotional regulation, resilience, and ethical cleanliness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mantrin-guṇa (Eloquence, Judgment, and Conduct)","lookup_keywords":["vāgmī","pragalbha","cākṣuṣmān","utsāha","śuci"],"quick_summary":"An ideal minister combines eloquence and confidence with clear perception, energy, stable temperament, friendliness, endurance, and purity of conduct."}
Concept: Effective counsel requires mastery of speech and perception, plus humility, steadiness, and moral purity.
Application: Use as a competency checklist in governance: assess communication skill, decision quality, temperament stability (no arrogance/fickleness), teamwork (maitra), and stress tolerance (kleśa-saha).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Qualities of an ideal minister or counsellor)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister addresses the court with poised speech; his eyes are depicted as sharp and attentive; he remains calm amid petitions and disputes, showing friendliness and endurance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: minister in dignified stance speaking before king, expressive eyes, restrained gestures, attendants and petitioners, warm ochres and reds, stylized faces and ornaments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: eloquent minister with raised hand in counsel, gold-highlighted court arch, rich textiles, serene facial expression indicating śuci and steadiness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic portrait series of ministerial virtues—speech, vision, energy, humility—shown as small vignettes around central counsellor figure, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court debate scene with subtle facial expressions, minister calm among animated courtiers, detailed costumes, manuscripts, and architectural niches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pragalbhaś cakṣuṣmānutsāhī → pragalbhaḥ cakṣuṣmān utsāhī (visarga before c; word boundary restored).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238.12; Agni Purana 238.14; Agni Purana 238.15
FAQs
Nīti-vidyā (statecraft): it lists operational qualities required in a capable minister/counsellor—eloquence, discernment, energy, steady judgment, emotional steadiness, friendliness, endurance, and integrity.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical governance manuals (rājadharma/nīti), including human-resource criteria for selecting state officials—showing its multi-disciplinary scope.
Purity (śuci) and freedom from arrogance and fickleness are ethical restraints that support dharmic administration; such conduct reduces harm, promotes justice, and accrues merit through righteous service.