Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 5
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
उक्त आश्रमधर्मस्तु धर्मः स्यात् पञ्चधा परः षाड्गुण्यस्याभिधाने यो दृष्टार्थः स उदाहृतः
ukta āśramadharmastu dharmaḥ syāt pañcadhā paraḥ ṣāḍguṇyasyābhidhāne yo dṛṣṭārthaḥ sa udāhṛtaḥ
O dharma dos āśramas que foi enunciado é, de fato, o dharma superior em forma quíntupla. Na exposição do ṣāḍguṇya (a política em seis aspectos), foi apresentado aquilo que tem finalidade diretamente prática (dṛṣṭārtha).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Integrate āśrama-based dharma (as a higher normative framework) with the king’s sixfold foreign policy (ṣāḍguṇya) by prioritizing measures that yield direct, observable results (dṛṣṭārtha) in governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Fivefold Higher Dharma and the Practical Aim in Ṣāḍguṇya","lookup_keywords":["āśrama-dharma","pañcadhā dharma","ṣāḍguṇya","dṛṣṭārtha","rāja-nīti"],"quick_summary":"The text frames āśrama-dharma as a ‘higher’ fivefold dharma and, in discussing ṣāḍguṇya, emphasizes policy choices oriented to tangible outcomes in statecraft."}
Concept: Dharma provides the normative ceiling for governance, while nīti selects means with dṛṣṭārtha (verifiable) benefit; higher values and practical policy are not opposed but layered.
Application: When choosing among ṣāḍguṇya options, test each measure against (a) dharmic constraints and (b) measurable public benefit—security, stability, prosperity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma-Niti-shastra (Governance, policy, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal council where the king consults ministers; a diagram-like sixfold policy wheel is shown alongside a fivefold dharma emblem, indicating alignment of ethics and strategy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king in sabhā with ministers, stylized circular mandala showing six policy petals labeled sandhi-vigraha-yāna-āsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhibhāva, above it a fivefold dharma motif, bold outlines, ornamental borders, didactic serenity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king and ministers with gold-embossed throne, a gilded wheel of ṣāḍguṇya held like a royal insignia, fivefold dharma symbol as a halo backdrop, rich jewel tones, formal symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: council scene plus inset panels—one listing pañcadhā dharma, another listing ṣāḍguṇya; fine lines, readable labels, calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with wazirs, a scholar presenting a scroll with six policy measures, architectural depth, patterned carpets, marginal notes indicating dṛṣṭārtha, refined realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आश्रमधर्मस्तु = आश्रम-धर्मः + तु; षाड्गुण्यस्याभिधाने = षाड्गुण्यस्य + अभिधाने
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166.6 (dṛṣṭa/adr̥ṣṭa aims); Agni Purana rajadharma sections on daṇḍa and nīti
FAQs
It signals a shift to practical nīti-vidyā: the chapter’s teaching on ṣāḍguṇya (six measures of state policy) is presented as dṛṣṭārtha—aimed at actionable governance rather than purely ritual instruction.
By placing āśrama-dharma (social-religious duty) alongside ṣāḍguṇya (political strategy), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s breadth—integrating ethics, social order, and concrete statecraft within one compendium.
It frames righteous governance as part of dharma: practical policy (ṣāḍguṇya) is legitimized when aligned with the higher dharma rooted in āśrama duties, implying merit accrues when worldly action serves dharmic order.