Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Prātyahika-Rāja-Karma
Daily Duties of a King
नैकेन सहितः कुर्यान्न कुर्याद्बहुभिः सह न च मूर्खैर् नचानाप्तैर् गुप्तं न प्रकटं चरेत्
naikena sahitaḥ kuryānna kuryādbahubhiḥ saha na ca mūrkhair nacānāptair guptaṃ na prakaṭaṃ caret
ਨਾ ਇਕੱਲੇ ਇੱਕ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰੇ, ਨਾ ਹੀ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਇਕੱਠੇ। ਨਾ ਮੂਰਖਾਂ ਨਾਲ, ਨਾ ਅਣਭਰੋਸੇਯੋਗਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਗਤ ਕਰੇ। ਨਾ ਭੇਦ ਖੋਲ੍ਹੇ, ਨਾ ਹੀ ਦਿਖਾਵਟੀ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਜਨਤਕ ਬਣੇ।
Lord Agni (teaching Niti/Rajadharma to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Operational security and prudent association: avoid acting with only one companion (risk of capture/complicity), avoid large groups (leaks), avoid fools/unreliable persons; keep secrecy without ostentation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṅga-doṣa and Guptācāra: Rules of association and secrecy","lookup_keywords":["gupta","mūrkha","anāpta","saṅga","nīti"],"quick_summary":"Do not conduct sensitive actions with a lone associate or with a crowd; avoid fools and the untrustworthy; protect secrets while not becoming conspicuously public—minimizing risk and rumor."}
Concept: Nīti requires viveka in companionship and measured self-disclosure; extremes (isolation with one, exposure with many) both endanger dharma and artha.
Application: For confidential work: use vetted small teams, compartmentalize information, avoid unreliable associates, and maintain a low-profile routine.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics of conduct and prudent counsel)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A statesman declines both a lone companion and a noisy crowd, dismisses a foolish courtier, and speaks quietly to a trusted aide while keeping documents concealed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic composition: one figure on one side, a crowd on the other, the central minister choosing a small trusted pair; muted yet vibrant palette, expressive gestures of refusal and discretion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central figure holding a sealed scroll, gold accents on the seal, two rejected groups at sides (single companion and crowd), trusted aide near the throne, formal symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene: labels implied by posture—foolish man with exaggerated expression, untrustworthy figure with shifty gaze, minister keeping counsel private; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court intrigue: whispering consultation, dismissed courtiers, concealed papers, guards at distance; detailed faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नैकेन = न + एकेन; कुर्यान्न = कुर्यात् + न; कुर्याद्बहुभिः = कुर्यात् + बहुभिः; मूर्खैर् = मूर्खैः; नचानाप्तैर् = न + च + अनाप्तैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana mantra-nīti passages on secrecy, spies, and ministerial counsel
FAQs
Niti-vidya (practical statecraft/ethics): guidance on choosing company wisely, avoiding unreliable associates, and maintaining discretion about confidential matters.
Alongside ritual, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves Niti and Rajadharma—pragmatic rules for counsel, association, and secrecy—showing its broad, handbook-like scope.
Right association and disciplined speech protect one from harmful actions and deceit, supporting dharmic conduct; discretion and avoiding bad company reduce the causes of sin (pāpa) arising from careless speech and misguided collaboration.