Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 25
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
बहुलाभकरं पश्चात्तदा राजा समाश्रयेत् सर्वशक्तिविहीनस्तु तदा कुर्यात्तु संश्रयं
bahulābhakaraṃ paścāttadā rājā samāśrayet sarvaśaktivihīnastu tadā kuryāttu saṃśrayaṃ
ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਰਾਜਾ ਉਹ ਸੰਸ਼੍ਰਯ ਅਪਣਾਵੇ ਜੋ ਬਹੁਤ ਲਾਭ ਦੇਵੇ; ਅਤੇ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਸਭ ਤਾਕਤ ਤੋਂ ਵੰਝਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਦ ਨਿਸ਼ਚੇ ਹੀ ਸੰਸ਼੍ਰਯ (ਸ਼ਰਨ) ਲਵੇ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Alliance/refuge selection rule: after assessment, the king should seek a protector/ally that yields high benefit; if utterly powerless, he must take refuge (saṃśraya) to preserve life, subjects, and continuity of rule.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃśraya (seeking refuge) based on benefit and loss of power","lookup_keywords":["saṃśraya","bahu-lābha","rājā","sarva-śakti-vihīna","upāya"],"quick_summary":"Choose refuge/overlordship that maximizes gain when options exist; when all power is lost, take refuge decisively as a survival policy."}
Concept: Protection of subjects is paramount; when independent power fails, dharma permits refuge under a stronger protector.
Application: In crisis governance, prioritize continuity and public safety over pride; formalize protective alliances.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, statecraft, and royal policy)
Primary Rasa: niti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weakened king consults ministers, then approaches a stronger ally-king with gifts and a treaty scroll, seeking protection; behind him, weary soldiers and depleted treasury chests symbolize loss of power.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two kings meeting under a pavilion, the weaker king in humble posture offering gifts, ministers behind, stylized fort in background, strong outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, alliance ceremony with gold leaf on crowns and ornaments, treaty scroll prominent, attendants with gifts, emphasis on hierarchical refuge-taking.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic scene: council deliberation leading to refuge, minimal background, fine lines, readable treaty scroll and gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, diplomatic audience with detailed textiles, gifts, and written treaty; subdued expressions showing necessity; guards and elephants indicating power imbalance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paścāttadā = paścāt + tadā; vihīnastu = vihīnaḥ + tu; kuryāttu = kuryāt + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 233 (ṣaḍguṇa: saṃśraya); Agni Purana 234 (daily duties: maintaining strength to avoid total power-loss)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (statecraft): when advantageous, a king should align with a beneficial protector/ally, and when powerless he should formally adopt saṃśraya—seeking protection under a stronger power.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana compiles practical disciplines; here it preserves political science concepts (alliance, dependence, refuge) as part of its broad coverage of governance and law.
It frames kingship as dharmic responsibility: preserving subjects and stability is a righteous aim, and prudent refuge-seeking is justified when it prevents greater harm and disorder.