Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
तस्य सीदति तद्राष्ट्रं व्याधिदुर्भिक्षतस्करैः श्रुतं वृत्तन्तु विज्ञाय वृत्तिं तस्य प्रकल्पयेत्
tasya sīdati tadrāṣṭraṃ vyādhidurbhikṣataskaraiḥ śrutaṃ vṛttantu vijñāya vṛttiṃ tasya prakalpayet
तस्य सीदति तद्राष्ट्रं व्याधिदुर्भिक्षतस्करैः; श्रुतं वृत्तान्तं विज्ञाय तस्य वृत्तिं प्रकल्पयेत्।
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma, addressed to the inquiring sage)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Crisis governance: recognize that neglecting welfare triggers disease, famine, and crime; investigate facts and provide targeted livelihood support to stabilize the realm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Royal response to distress: disease–famine–theft triad","lookup_keywords":["vyādhi","durbhikṣa","taskara","rāṣṭra-kṣobha","vṛtti"],"quick_summary":"If a śrotriya or subject languishes, the kingdom suffers through illness, famine, and theft; the king should verify the report and arrange proper livelihood support."}
Concept: Ruler’s dharma includes fact-finding (vṛttānta-vijñāna) and provisioning (vṛtti-prakalpana) to prevent systemic suffering.
Application: Establish inquiry mechanisms, relief granaries, stipends, and policing; prioritize verified aid over rumor-driven punishment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Duties of the King)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A troubled kingdom: sick people, empty fields, and thieves at night; the king in council hears a report, verifies it, and orders livelihood support for the afflicted learned man.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-panel narrative: left shows disease and famine, right shows royal council with the king receiving a messenger and ordering relief, stylized villages and guards, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on royal court, minister presenting a scroll of ‘vṛttānta’, the king pointing toward granary distribution, symbolic vignettes of famine and thieves in corners","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: inquiry scene with scribes, then relief distribution, fine facial expressions, muted elegance, administrative realism","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling court with record-keepers, a messenger describing distress, the king issuing orders, background scenes of famine-struck countryside and night patrols"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadrāṣṭram → tat + rāṣṭram; vṛttantu → vṛttam + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma: protection and maintenance of Brahmanas and dependents (222.30-34)
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma as applied governance: investigate reports accurately (vṛttānta-vijñāna) and provide structured maintenance/relief (vṛtti-prakalpana) to stabilize society during disease, famine, and theft.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical state administration—crisis management, law-and-order pressures, and welfare provisioning—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of political economy and social stability alongside ritual and doctrine.
A ruler who hears truthfully, judges rightly, and sustains people in calamity upholds dharma; such protection and support are treated as merit-bearing acts that reduce suffering and preserve righteous order in the realm.