Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
परस्य विपरीतञ्च तदा विग्रहमाचरेत् विगृह्य सन्धाय तथा सम्भूयाथ प्रसङ्गतः
parasya viparītañca tadā vigrahamācaret vigṛhya sandhāya tathā sambhūyātha prasaṅgataḥ
Когда курс противника становится противоположным нашим интересам, тогда следует приступить к враждебным действиям. Сначала разорвав отношения, затем заключают договор; и так же можно вновь образовать союз — по требованию обстоятельств.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dynamic diplomacy: initiate hostilities when the opponent turns adverse; break and re-make treaties and alliances as circumstances demand.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prasaṅga-nīti: Breaking, Making, and Re-forming Sandhi","lookup_keywords":["sandhi-vigraha","prasaṅga","vigr̥hya sandhāya","saṃbhūya","adaptive diplomacy"],"quick_summary":"State policy is situational: one may shift between hostility, treaty, and alliance—sequenced as needed—when the adversary’s conduct changes."}
Concept: Prasaṅga (context) governs policy; dharma in kingship includes prudent adaptability rather than stubborn consistency.
Application: Negotiation practice: define triggers for escalation/de-escalation; keep channels for re-alliance after conflict.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance & Statecraft / Sandhi–Vigraha Policy)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sequence panel: first a treaty is torn (break in relations), then armies mobilize, then a new treaty is signed, and finally a coalition meeting forms again—each shift driven by changing circumstances.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative frieze showing four episodes—breaking treaty, marching to conflict, signing sandhi, forming alliance—stylized figures, clear gestures, traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents: king alternately holding a broken seal, then a sword, then a treaty scroll, then clasping hands with allied king; ornate court setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional storyboard with captions ‘vigraha’, ‘sandhi’, ‘saṃbhūya’, emphasizing policy transitions, delicate shading and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, diplomatic chamber scenes intercut with military mobilization, scribes drafting treaties, exchange of gifts, realistic architecture and costumes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viparītañca = viparītam + ca; vigrahamācaret = vigraham + ācaret; sambhūyātha = sambhūya + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma on ṣāḍguṇya (sandhi, vigraha, yāna, āsana, saṃśraya, dvaidhibhāva); Agni Purana sections on dūta-vyavahāra (envoy conduct)
FAQs
It imparts practical rajadharma/statecraft: when to choose vigraha (hostility), when to conclude sandhi (treaty), and when to form sambhūya (coalition), all governed by situational necessity (prasaṅga).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also codifies political science—war, peace, alliances, and strategic reversals—showing its wide coverage of governance alongside other disciplines.
It frames royal action as dharma-guided prudence: a king’s choices of war, treaty, or alliance should be context-appropriate, minimizing adharmic harm while protecting subjects and stability.