Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Yātrā-Maṇḍala-Cintā and Rājya-Rakṣaṇa: Auspicious Travel Rules and the Twelve-King Mandala
शकुनादौ शुभे यायाज्जयाय हरिमास्मरन् वक्ष्ये मण्डलचिन्तान्ते कर्तव्यं राजरक्षणं
śakunādau śubhe yāyājjayāya harimāsmaran vakṣye maṇḍalacintānte kartavyaṃ rājarakṣaṇaṃ
शकुनादौ शुभे दृष्टे जयाय यायात् हरिम् आस्मरन्। अनन्तरं मण्डलचिन्तान्ते कर्तव्यं राजरक्षणं वक्ष्ये।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Using omen-reading to time military/political action, invoking Hari for morale and dharmic framing, and proceeding to structured royal protection measures after mandala (circle-of-states) analysis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājayātrā: Auspicious Omens, Hari-smaraṇa, and Mandala-based Royal Protection","lookup_keywords":["shakuna shubha","jaya yatra","hari smarana","mandala chinta","raja rakshana"],"quick_summary":"Advises commencing victory-oriented action when omens are favorable while remembering Viṣṇu, then undertaking systematic royal protective measures grounded in mandala (inter-state) contemplation."}
Concept: Power is to be exercised with auspicious timing, strategic reflection (mandala), and devotional remembrance to restrain adharmic impulse.
Application: Before campaigns or major state actions: verify omens, perform Hari-smaraṇa, analyze neighboring states via mandala logic, then implement layered protections (security, rites, protocols).
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Royal Governance & Protection)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king at the palace gate receives omen reports (birds/omens), performs Hari remembrance, and studies a mandala diagram of neighboring states before initiating royal protection measures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with attendants, omen-bird motifs in the sky, a sage-minister presenting a circular mandala map, king with folded hands remembering Hari, bold outlines and ceremonial palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king enthroned with gold-work, small Viṣṇu icon or name-panel indicating Hari-smaraṇa, minister holding mandala chart, auspicious omen symbols around, rich reds and greens with gilding","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-technical mandala diagram on a board, king and council in calm planning posture, subtle depiction of omens, fine detailing suitable for governance instruction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene with strategic map (mandala) spread on carpet, messenger describing omens, king in contemplative pose with prayer beads, architectural depth and intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यायाज्जयाय = यायात् + जयाय (त् + ज → ज्ज). हरिमास्मरन् = हरिम् + आस्मरन् (म् + आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 232 (transition from jyotiṣa/naimittika to rājadharma); Agni Purana rājadharma sections on protection and governance (contextual)
FAQs
It prescribes a protocol for a king’s departure: assess auspicious omens (śakuna), proceed with the intent of victory, and perform Hari-smaraṇa; it also signals a transition into the technical topic of rājarakṣaṇa (royal protection measures) following maṇḍala-based statecraft deliberation.
It links multiple knowledge domains—omenology (śakuna/Jyotiṣa), devotional practice (Hari-smaraṇa), and political science (maṇḍala theory and royal security)—showing how the Agni Purana integrates ritual, religion, and governance into a single practical manual for kingship.
Remembering Hari before undertaking a victory-march sacralizes political action, aligning royal duty with dharma; auspicious timing and mindful invocation are presented as means to reduce inauspiciousness and support righteous success.