Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 25
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
बहुलाभकरं पश्चात्तदा राजा समाश्रयेत् सर्वशक्तिविहीनस्तु तदा कुर्यात्तु संश्रयं
bahulābhakaraṃ paścāttadā rājā samāśrayet sarvaśaktivihīnastu tadā kuryāttu saṃśrayaṃ
Затем царь должен прибегнуть к покровителю или союзнику, приносящему обильную выгоду; а когда он лишён всякой силы, тогда поистине следует искать saṃśraya — прибежища и опоры.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Alliance/refuge selection rule: after assessment, the king should seek a protector/ally that yields high benefit; if utterly powerless, he must take refuge (saṃśraya) to preserve life, subjects, and continuity of rule.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃśraya (seeking refuge) based on benefit and loss of power","lookup_keywords":["saṃśraya","bahu-lābha","rājā","sarva-śakti-vihīna","upāya"],"quick_summary":"Choose refuge/overlordship that maximizes gain when options exist; when all power is lost, take refuge decisively as a survival policy."}
Concept: Protection of subjects is paramount; when independent power fails, dharma permits refuge under a stronger protector.
Application: In crisis governance, prioritize continuity and public safety over pride; formalize protective alliances.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, statecraft, and royal policy)
Primary Rasa: niti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weakened king consults ministers, then approaches a stronger ally-king with gifts and a treaty scroll, seeking protection; behind him, weary soldiers and depleted treasury chests symbolize loss of power.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two kings meeting under a pavilion, the weaker king in humble posture offering gifts, ministers behind, stylized fort in background, strong outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, alliance ceremony with gold leaf on crowns and ornaments, treaty scroll prominent, attendants with gifts, emphasis on hierarchical refuge-taking.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic scene: council deliberation leading to refuge, minimal background, fine lines, readable treaty scroll and gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, diplomatic audience with detailed textiles, gifts, and written treaty; subdued expressions showing necessity; guards and elephants indicating power imbalance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paścāttadā = paścāt + tadā; vihīnastu = vihīnaḥ + tu; kuryāttu = kuryāt + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 233 (ṣaḍguṇa: saṃśraya); Agni Purana 234 (daily duties: maintaining strength to avoid total power-loss)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (statecraft): when advantageous, a king should align with a beneficial protector/ally, and when powerless he should formally adopt saṃśraya—seeking protection under a stronger power.
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana compiles practical disciplines; here it preserves political science concepts (alliance, dependence, refuge) as part of its broad coverage of governance and law.
It frames kingship as dharmic responsibility: preserving subjects and stability is a righteous aim, and prudent refuge-seeking is justified when it prevents greater harm and disorder.