Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
स्वाम्यमात्यञ्जनपदा दुर्गं दण्दस्तथैव च कोषो मित्रञ्च धर्मज्ञ सप्ताङ्गं राज्यमुच्यते
svāmyamātyañjanapadā durgaṃ daṇdastathaiva ca koṣo mitrañca dharmajña saptāṅgaṃ rājyamucyate
ਹੇ ਧਰਮਜ्ञ! ਰਾਜ ਦੇ ਸੱਤ ਅੰਗ ਕਹੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ—ਸਵਾਮੀ (ਰਾਜਾ), ਅਮਾਤ੍ਯ (ਮੰਤਰੀ), ਜਨਪਦ (ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਤੇ ਦੇਸ਼), ਦੁਰਗ (ਕਿਲ੍ਹਾ), ਦੰਡ (ਦਮਨ-ਸ਼ਕਤੀ/ਸੈਨਾ ਤੇ ਦੰਡਨੀਤੀ), ਕੋਸ਼ (ਰਾਜਕੋਸ਼), ਅਤੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ (ਮਿੱਤਰ ਰਾਜ)।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"State assessment and governance planning using the seven-limbed model: evaluate strength/weakness across ruler, ministers, territory/people, fort, coercive power, treasury, and allies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Saptanga-rajya (seven limbs of the state)","lookup_keywords":["saptanga","svami","amatya","durga","danda-kosha-mitra"],"quick_summary":"A kingdom functions through seven interdependent limbs—sovereign, ministers, territory/people, fort, coercive authority, treasury, and allies—each requiring cultivation for stability."}
Concept: The state is an organism with limbs; governance is holistic, not single-factor.
Application: Create a ‘saptanga audit’: leadership integrity, ministerial competence, public welfare, fort/security, law enforcement/army discipline, fiscal health, and diplomatic network.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Statecraft and Governance)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic ‘seven-limbed kingdom’ shown as a royal figure with seven labeled supports: king at center, ministers beside, map of territory, fort, army/punishment staff, treasury chest, and allied kings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic composition: central crowned king with seven surrounding emblems (minister scroll, people/fields, fort gate, danda staff, treasure pot, ally king), bold contours and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, icon-like state diagram: king with gold halo, seven ornate icons around, heavy gold work on treasury and fort motifs, symmetrical layout","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic chart scene: court teacher pointing to seven emblems on a board, refined lines, subdued palette, emphasis on clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, allegorical court painting: king seated with ministers, soldiers, treasurer, envoy of ally, fort in background, countryside vignette, detailed realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाम्यमात्यञ्जनपदा = स्वामी + अमात्य + जनपदाः (समाहार/सूची-समासवत् संधि); दण्दस्तथैव = दण्डः + तथा + एव; मित्रञ्च = मित्रम् + च; राज्यमुच्यते = राज्यम् + उच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma continuation on protecting the ruler as root (224.12); Agni Purana fortification guidance (224.9) and diplomacy (224.10)
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma/statecraft knowledge by defining the saptāṅga model: the seven operational constituents required for a functioning kingdom—ruler, ministers, populace/territory, fortifications, coercive power (daṇḍa), treasury, and alliances.
Alongside ritual and theological material, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance theory comparable to classical nīti/artha traditions, showing its wide scope that includes administration, security, finance, diplomacy, and legal enforcement.
By framing governance as dharma-informed, it implies that just administration—especially the proper use of daṇḍa and protection of subjects—supports righteous order (dharma) and yields merit to the ruler through welfare and stability of society.