Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
जगद्व्याप्नोति वै चारैर् अतो राजा समीरणः दोषनिग्रहकारित्वाद्राजा वैवस्वतः प्रभुः
jagadvyāpnoti vai cārair ato rājā samīraṇaḥ doṣanigrahakāritvādrājā vaivasvataḥ prabhuḥ
चारैः स जगद्व्याप्नोति; अतः राजा ‘समीरणः’ इति कथ्यते। दोषनिग्रहकारित्वात् राजा प्रभुः ‘वैवस्वतः’ इति।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Statecraft tools: intelligence networks for situational awareness and judicial enforcement to suppress wrongdoing; model the king as wind-like omnipresence and Yama-like justice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"King as Samīraṇa (wind) through spies; as Vaivasvata (Yama) through punishment","lookup_keywords":["cāra","spies","samīraṇa","vaivasvata","crime suppression"],"quick_summary":"Spies make the king ‘wind-like’ in reach across the realm, while suppression of faults makes him ‘Yama-like’ as dispenser of justice; together they define effective governance."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Effective rule requires both knowledge (intelligence) and enforcement (fault-suppression); power is legitimized as protection through justice.
Application: Create layered intelligence (open and covert), verify reports, and pair detection with fair adjudication and consistent penalties.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Kingship, Espionage and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king at the center with messengers/spies moving like wind through towns and forests, bringing reports; beside him a Yama-like judicial emblem as he restrains अपराध (faults/crimes).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic ‘wind’ motif with flowing scarves and couriers, spies in disguise among merchants and ascetics, king in palace receiving reports; subtle Yama-symbol with daṇḍa in background; rich earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king enthroned with gold aura, attendants presenting sealed reports, small vignettes of spies in marketplace and borderlands; Yama emblem with staff rendered in gold relief; ornate arch","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, schematic intelligence network: nodes (villages, forts) connected by couriers, king reviewing reports; separate panel of courtroom punishment for crime suppression; clear instructional layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling city and countryside scenes with undercover agents, then a refined court where the king judges; delicate linework, detailed costumes, marginal notes like a manuscript illustration"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jagadvyāpnoti = jagat vyāpnoti; cārair = cāraiḥ (visarga sandhi); doṣanigrahakāritvādrājā = doṣa-nigraha-kāritvāt rājā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 225 (cāra-vyavasthā and daṇḍa)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (statecraft): a king must employ cāras (spies) to know the entire realm and apply doṣa-nigraha (discipline/punishment) to curb wrongdoing.
It shows the Purana’s coverage beyond theology—codifying practical governance tools like intelligence gathering and danda-nīti (juridical restraint), aligning kingship with ethical administration.
By restraining doṣas (harmful acts) and protecting subjects, the king performs a dharmic duty akin to Yama’s justice, generating merit through the maintenance of order and prevention of adharma.