Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
आन्वीक्षिकीं त्रयीं वार्तां दण्डनीतिं च पार्थिवः तद्वैद्यैस्तत्क्रियोपैतैश्चिन्ततयेद्विनयान्वितः
ānvīkṣikīṃ trayīṃ vārtāṃ daṇḍanītiṃ ca pārthivaḥ tadvaidyaistatkriyopaitaiścintatayedvinayānvitaḥ
ਰਾਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਨਵੀਕ੍ਸ਼ਿਕੀ, ਤ੍ਰਯੀ (ਵੇਦ-ਤ੍ਰਯ), ਵਾਰਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੰਡਨੀਤੀ—ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ, ਸੰਬੰਧਿਤ ਵਿਦਵਾਨਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਉਚਿਤ ਅਭਿਆਸ-ਵਿਧੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਯੁਕਤ ਆਚਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਨਾਲ, ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਸਹਿਤ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Curriculum for kingship: consult domain experts and systematically study the four vidyās—critical inquiry, Vedic dharma, economics, and governance/punishment—while maintaining humility and discipline.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caturvidyā-vicāra for the King (Ānvīkṣikī–Trayī–Vārtā–Daṇḍanīti)","lookup_keywords":["ānvīkṣikī","trayī","vārtā","daṇḍanīti","vinaya"],"quick_summary":"A king should deliberate on the four sciences with qualified experts and proper methods. Humility and disciplined conduct are prerequisites for correct application in policy and rule."}
Concept: Right governance depends on structured knowledge systems (four vidyās) and on vinaya (humble discipline) in learning and execution.
Application: Establish a council of specialists (philosopher-logician, Vedic jurist/priest, economic administrator, legal/police chief); require written methods, periodic review, and the king’s personal study schedule.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Statecraft and the Four Vidyas)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in a council hall consulting four experts seated in quarters: a logician with debate beads (ānvīkṣikī), a Vedic scholar with śruti manuscripts (trayī), a merchant-agronomist with scales and grain (vārtā), and a magistrate with staff and law tablet (daṇḍanīti); the king bows slightly in humility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical council scene with four advisors around the king, each with distinct attributes (manuscript, yajña ladle, scales, daṇḍa), decorative pillars, warm tones and stylized faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central king with gold arch, four advisors in panels, heavy gold leaf on manuscripts and regalia, icon-like clarity of the four vidyās, rich reds/greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional court diagram feel: four labeled vidyās with their experts and tools, fine linework, subdued palette, emphasis on method (kriyopāya) and vinaya posture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with scholars and officials, realistic objects (account books, palm-leaf texts), architectural depth, the king listening attentively with modest demeanor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वैद्यैस्तत्क्रियोपैतैश्चिन्ततयेद्विनयान्वितः = तद्वैद्यैः + तत्क्रियोपेतैः + चिन्तयेत् + विनयान्वितः; तत्क्रियोपैतैः = तत् + क्रिया + उपेतैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma discussions on counsel, ministers, and daṇḍa (same thematic run near 237)
FAQs
It prescribes the king’s curriculum as the four core sciences—Ānvīkṣikī (reasoned inquiry), Trayī (Vedic/ritual knowledge), Vārtā (economy and production), and Daṇḍanīti (law and administration)—to be learned through qualified experts using proper practical methods.
By placing philosophy, Vedic tradition, economics, and political jurisprudence side-by-side as essential royal knowledge, it showcases the Agni Purana’s multi-disciplinary scope—linking ritual authority, rational analysis, material prosperity, and governance into one integrated handbook.
The verse frames humble, disciplined learning as a dharmic duty of rulership: governance becomes ethically grounded when guided by Vedic norms, reasoned deliberation, and expert counsel—supporting righteous rule and reducing adharma arising from ignorance or arrogance.