Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 12
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
एत् सदेत्यन्तः पाठः ग पुस्तके नास्ति तद्वच्च दृढभक्तितेति ग कृतशिल्पः स्ववग्रह इति घ , ञ च सर्वदुष्टप्रतिग्रह इति ख , घ , छ च परच्छिद्रान्ववेक्षी चेति घ , ञ च गुणवन्तो ऽनुगामिन इति ग दण्डनीतेः प्रयोक्तारः सचिवाः स्युर्महीपतेः सुविग्रहो जानपदः कुलशीककलान्वितः
et sadetyantaḥ pāṭhaḥ ga pustake nāsti tadvacca dṛḍhabhaktiteti ga kṛtaśilpaḥ svavagraha iti gha , ña ca sarvaduṣṭapratigraha iti kha , gha , cha ca paracchidrānvavekṣī ceti gha , ña ca guṇavanto 'nugāmina iti ga daṇḍanīteḥ prayoktāraḥ sacivāḥ syurmahīpateḥ suvigraho jānapadaḥ kulaśīkakalānvitaḥ
Os ministros (saciva) são os executores da política régia de punição e governo (daṇḍanīti). Devem ter constituição e presença firmes, experiência nos assuntos do reino, boa linhagem e conduta, e ser versados nas artes e nas habilidades práticas.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Selection and vetting criteria for appointing ministers who can execute daṇḍanīti (law, punishment, administration) effectively and ethically.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Saciva-lakṣaṇa (Qualifications of Ministers)","lookup_keywords":["saciva","daṇḍanīti","rājadharma","mantrin","guṇa"],"quick_summary":"Ministers are the operational agents of royal governance; they should be robust, experienced in public affairs, of good lineage and conduct, and trained in arts/skills relevant to administration."}
Concept: Rājya is sustained by qualified agents; daṇḍa must be executed through competent, cultured, and trustworthy ministers.
Application: Create a ministerial selection rubric: health/steadiness, domain experience, ethical pedigree, and demonstrable skills (kalā/śilpa) relevant to governance.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in court appoints ministers; candidates stand with scrolls and tools of arts, while scribes record qualifications; symbols of daṇḍa (staff of justice) and state administration appear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style royal sabhā scene: seated king with daṇḍa staff, ministers in white garments, palm-leaf manuscripts, warm earthy palette, ornate arch backdrop, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: king enthroned with gold foil halo-like arch, ministers presenting palm-leaf documents, rich reds and greens, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing on throne and court canopy.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court tableau with labeled ministerial qualities on scrolls, delicate linework, subdued colors, emphasis on faces and gestures of counsel and appointment.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar with patterned carpets, attendants, ministers holding dossiers, precise architectural perspective, fine brushwork, subdued yet jewel-toned palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Focused on the metrical verse portion: daṇḍanīteḥ prayoktāraḥ sacivāḥ syuḥ mahīpateḥ suvigrahaḥ jānapadaḥ kulaśīlakalānvitaḥ. Sandhi: syurmahīpateḥ → syuḥ mahīpateḥ; guṇavanto 'nugāmina etc. are editorial notes and not analyzed here.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238.13; Agni Purana 238.14; Agni Purana 238.15; Agni Purana 238.16
FAQs
It teaches daṇḍanīti in practice: ministers are to implement royal governance and punishment policy, and must be competent in public administration, skilled (kalā), and ethically grounded.
Beyond theology and ritual, it codifies political science—defining administrative roles and qualifications—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance alongside other disciplines.
By insisting on ministerial virtue, right conduct, and competent enforcement, it supports dharma-based rule; such governance is traditionally held to protect subjects and reduce adharma, generating collective merit for ruler and realm.