Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 29
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
द्वैधीभावेन तिष्ठेत काकाक्षिवदलक्षितः उभयोरपि सम्पाते सेवेत बलवत्तरं
dvaidhībhāvena tiṣṭheta kākākṣivadalakṣitaḥ ubhayorapi sampāte seveta balavattaraṃ
ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਦ੍ਵੈਧੀਭਾਵ ਦੀ ਨੀਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਟਿਕ ਕੇ, ਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਅੱਖ ਵਾਂਗ ਆਪਣਾ ਮਨੋਰਥ ਲੁਕਾਉਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ; ਅਤੇ ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਪੱਖ ਟਕਰਾਉਣ, ਤਦੋਂ ਵਧੇਰੇ ਬਲਵਾਨ ਪੱਖ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma/nīti to Vasiṣṭha, as typical of Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Diplomatic posture of strategic ambiguity: maintain a dual policy until circumstances force alignment; then side with the stronger coalition to preserve state security.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvaidhībhāva (Dual Policy) and Attachment to the Stronger","lookup_keywords":["dvaidhībhāva","kākākṣi-vat","dual policy","strategic ambiguity","balavattara-śaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Maintain a deliberately ambiguous stance (like the crow’s eye seeming to look both ways) while monitoring both sides; when confrontation becomes unavoidable, align with the stronger party to minimize loss."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Pragmatic state survival through controlled ambiguity and timely alignment
Application: Use non-committal diplomacy to buy time; decide only when forced, choosing the side that ensures continuity of polity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Statecraft, Diplomacy, and Political Strategy)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council keeps a neutral posture between two rival delegations, his gaze subtly shifting like a crow’s eye; behind him advisers whisper and spies observe, while two armies loom in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: royal court scene with two rival emissaries on either side, the king seated centrally with restrained expression, stylized eyes suggesting ‘kākākṣi’, warm earthy palette, ornate borders, attendants and palm-leaf documents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: king on jeweled throne with gold-leaf highlights, two envoys presenting gifts, the king’s hand in a measured gesture of non-commitment, symbolic crow motif near the throne, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court tableau with labeled elements—king, ministers, spies, two factions—clean lines, delicate shading, emphasis on the ‘dual policy’ stance and later pointing toward the stronger side.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar with two delegations, subtle facial expressions, a crow perched on a lattice window as metaphor, distant battlefield haze, fine textiles and architectural detail, balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काकाक्षिवदलक्षितः = काकाक्षि-वत्-लक्षितः; उभयोरपि = उभयोः अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Nīti sections on sandhi-vigraha and ṣāḍguṇya (six measures); Agni Purana chapters on dūta (envoy) and gupta-cāra (spies)
FAQs
It teaches the nīti (statecraft) tactic of dvaidhībhāva—maintaining a dual posture with concealed intent, and pragmatically aligning with the stronger side when a decisive confrontation or convergence occurs.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles practical disciplines; here it preserves a concise rule of classical Indian diplomacy and alliance-management, showing the text’s coverage of governance alongside ritual, medicine, and arts.
In rajadharma terms, it frames political conduct as duty-bound prudence: preserving stability and minimizing harm through strategic restraint, with action taken only when circumstances compel a clear alignment.