Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 9
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
जयेद्वाह्यानरीन् पश्चाद्वाह्याश् च त्रिविधारयः गुरवस्ते यथा पूर्वं कुल्यानन्तरकृत्रिमाः
jayedvāhyānarīn paścādvāhyāś ca trividhārayaḥ guravaste yathā pūrvaṃ kulyānantarakṛtrimāḥ
Покорив сперва внешних врагов, затем следует укрепить внешнюю линию обороны тремя видами рвов. Их ширина и глубина должны быть такими, как сказано ранее; рвы надлежит располагать последовательно, включая и искусственно выкопанные.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fortification planning: after neutralizing external threats, establish layered defenses using specified moat types and dimensions, including excavated/artificial ditches.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Trividha-parikha (threefold moats) for outer defense","lookup_keywords":["durga-raksha","parikha","trividha","bahya-ari","kṛtrima-kulyā"],"quick_summary":"Once external enemies are subdued, outer defenses should be secured by arranging three kinds of moats/ditches in sequence, with breadth and depth as previously prescribed, including artificial excavated ones."}
Concept: Pragmatic sequencing: victory over threats first, then institutionalize defenses to prevent recurrence.
Application: Use a defense-in-depth plan: multiple barriers, standardized measurements, and planned placement of artificial works.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, forts, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: Veera
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fortified city with concentric outer defenses: three distinct moats/ditches shown in sequence, engineers measuring depth and breadth, soldiers patrolling ramparts after victory over invaders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic fort with layered moats, stylized water and earth bands, engineers with measuring rods, guards on walls, bold outlines and flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gleaming fort walls with gold accents, three moat rings rendered as decorative bands, king overseeing engineers, ornate borders and rich reds/greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram-like scene: cross-section of fort with three moats labeled by attendants, surveyors measuring, clean lines and soft coloration","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic fort landscape with workers excavating ditches, water-filled moat, soldiers in formation, fine architectural detail and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जयेद्वाह्यानरीन् = जयेत् + वाह्यान् + अरिन् (एत्+व→एद्व; पदसन्धि); पश्चाद्वाह्याः = पश्चात् + वाह्याः; गुरवस्ते = गुरवः + ते; त्रिविधारयः = त्रिविधाः + अरयः; कुल्यानन्तरकृत्रिमाः = कुल्यान् + अनन्तरकृत्रिमाः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma passages giving earlier moat dimensions (immediately preceding fortification details); Agni Purana sections on durga and danda (near 224.11-224.12)
FAQs
It teaches fortification procedure: after subduing external threats, the ruler should establish a threefold system of outer defensive works—especially moats/ditches (kulyāḥ), including excavated (kṛtrimāḥ) trenches—laid out in ordered sequence and with dimensions defined earlier.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical rajadharma and military engineering: layered perimeter defense, classification of moats, and standards of construction—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and strategic infrastructure.
In rajadharma, protecting subjects is a primary duty; implementing orderly defenses supports stability and non-chaos (dharma), reducing harm from invasion and enabling the king to uphold righteous rule.