Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
एवमन्ये दर्शनीया उत्पाता बहवो ऽपि च उद्वेजनं तथा कुर्यात् कुहकैर् विविधैर् द्विषां
evamanye darśanīyā utpātā bahavo 'pi ca udvejanaṃ tathā kuryāt kuhakair vividhair dviṣāṃ
ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਵੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਦਿੱਖਣਯੋਗ ਅਪਸ਼ਕੁਨ ਦਿਖਾਏ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ; ਅਤੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਧੋਖੇਬਾਜ਼ ਤਦਬੀਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਘਬਰਾਹਟ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"General doctrine of psychological warfare: employ multiple staged, visible 'portents' and tricks to keep opponents unsettled and reactive.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Utpāta-bahutva and Kuha-ka-vidhi for Dviṣām Udvejana","lookup_keywords":["utpāta","kuha-ka","udvejana","dviṣ","māyā"],"quick_summary":"Beyond one method, many visible portents can be staged; varied deceptions maintain sustained agitation in enemies and degrade their confidence."}
Concept: Perception management is cumulative; variety in stratagems sustains fear and confusion.
Application: Design a portfolio of deceptive signals (sound, light, rumor, staged signs) and deploy them unpredictably.
Khanda Section: Utpāta-Śānti and Omens (Nimitta-śāstra / Rājadharma-related portents)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A montage-like depiction of multiple staged omens—strange lights, unusual animal behavior, eerie sounds—while enemy troops grow restless and commanders argue.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural composite scene with symbolic panels: birds, fiery streaks, ominous clouds, frightened soldiers; bold colors and rhythmic arrangement like a temple narrative band","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with ornate border and gold accents highlighting 'omens' (comet, lightning, birds), enemy camp in disarray, dramatic but decorative composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting didactic multi-panel illustration of different kuha-ka tricks producing visible utpātas, with clear separation and explanatory feel","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature crowded camp scene with multiple simultaneous disturbances—animals, lights, messengers—fine detail showing confusion and fear among ranks"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: evamanye = evam + anye; bahavo 'pi = bahavaḥ + api; kuhakair = kuhakaiḥ; vividhair = vividhaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana continuation of māyopāya examples around 233.8-233.11; Agni Purana utpāta-śānti discussions (how omens are interpreted/neutralized)
FAQs
It frames utpāta-vidyā (knowledge of portents) as observable signs, and additionally notes a practical statecraft technique: creating udvejana (alarm) in enemies through kuhaka (deceptive) methods.
The verse blends nimitta-śāstra (omens) with rājadharma/artha-oriented tactics (psychological disruption of enemies), showing the text’s scope beyond ritual into governance and strategic conduct.
Recognizing portents supports śānti-oriented vigilance and timely corrective action; the mention of deception underscores that worldly conflict can involve unsettling forces, for which one should seek protection and stabilization through dharmic oversight and pacificatory measures.