Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 1
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
इत्य् आग्नेये महाओपुराणे स्त्रीरक्षादिकामशास्त्रं नाम त्रयोविंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ चतुर्विंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः राजधर्माः पुष्कर उवाच राजपुत्रस्य रक्षा च कर्तव्या पृथिवीक्षिता धर्मार्थकामशास्त्राणि धनुर्वेदञ्च शिक्षयेत्
ity āgneye mahāopurāṇe strīrakṣādikāmaśāstraṃ nāma trayoviṃśatyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha caturviṃśatyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ rājadharmāḥ puṣkara uvāca rājaputrasya rakṣā ca kartavyā pṛthivīkṣitā dharmārthakāmaśāstrāṇi dhanurvedañca śikṣayet
इत्याग्नेये महापुराणे स्त्रीरक्षादिकामशास्त्रं नाम त्रयोविंशत्यधिकद्विशततमोऽध्यायः समाप्तः। अथ चतुर्विंशत्यधिकद्विशततमोऽध्यायः—राजधर्माः। पुष्कर उवाच—हे पृथिवीक्षित, राजपुत्रस्य रक्षा नित्यमेव कर्तव्या; स च धर्मार्थकामशास्त्राणि धनुर्वेदं च शिक्षयेत्।
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Curriculum design for a prince: ensure security and systematic education in dharma-artha-kāma and martial science (dhanurveda).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rājaputra-rakṣā and royal education (Dharma–Artha–Kāma + Dhanurveda)","lookup_keywords":["rājaputra-rakṣā","rājadharma","dharma-artha-kāma","dhanurveda","śikṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The king must secure the prince and educate him comprehensively in normative ethics, governance/wealth, regulated enjoyment, and warfare—forming the integrated royal curriculum."}
Weapon Type: Bow (implied by Dhanurveda), plus general warfare sciences
Concept: Integrated knowledge for rulership: balancing dharma (legitimacy), artha (administration), kāma (regulated prosperity), and daṇḍa/warfare (security).
Application: Design a prince’s education program with vetted teachers, staged competencies, and security protocols to ensure stable succession.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance, Statecraft & Protection)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Puṣkara addresses the king: the prince is guarded by attendants while teachers present scrolls labeled dharma, artha, kāma, and dhanurveda; a bow and training ground appear in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; guru instructing young prince, four palm-leaf bundles labeled dharma/artha/kāma/dhanurveda; guards at the periphery; training yard with bow practice; traditional palette and ornamented borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; prince seated on a small throne with gold halo-like arch; teachers offering manuscripts; a gilded bow and quiver displayed; attendants symbolizing protection; heavy gold embellishment.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; pedagogical scene with clear objects: manuscripts, writing board, bow, target; the king overseeing; soft colors and fine detailing suitable for instructional narrative.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; palace school setting with tutors and the prince; guards discreetly placed; archery practice visible through an arched window; intricate textiles and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity āgneye = iti āgneye; 'dhyāyaḥ = adhyāyaḥ; dhanurvedañca = dhanur-vedaṃ ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (rājadharma sequence); Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections elsewhere (weaponry/training chapters)
FAQs
It prescribes a prince’s training in dharma-śāstra, artha-śāstra, kāma-śāstra, and Dhanurveda—formal education in ethics, governance/economics, regulated social desire, and military-archery science.
In a single transition it moves from kāma-śāstra topics (social conduct such as protection of women) into rāja-dharma (political ethics), and explicitly includes Dhanurveda—showing the text’s breadth across social law, polity, and technical martial disciplines.
By grounding royal power in dharma and disciplined training, the verse frames kingship as a duty-bearing role; protecting the heir and educating him in righteous governance is presented as a means to sustain order (dharma) and reduce harmful karma in the kingdom.