Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
प्रकीर्णविषयारण्ये धावन्तं विप्रमाथिनं वागिमता दार्ढ्यमापत्कालसहिष्णुतेति ख , घ , ज , झ च ज्ञानाङ्कुशेन कुर्वीत वश्यमिन्द्रियदन्तिनं
prakīrṇaviṣayāraṇye dhāvantaṃ vipramāthinaṃ vāgimatā dārḍhyamāpatkālasahiṣṇuteti kha , gha , ja , jha ca jñānāṅkuśena kurvīta vaśyamindriyadantinaṃ
प्रकीर्णविषयारण्ये धावन्तं विप्रमाथिनम् । वागिमता दार्ढ्यमापत्कालसहिष्णुता—खघजझलक्षणैः । ज्ञानाङ्कुशेन कुर्वीत वश्यमिन्द्रियदन्तिनम् ॥
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Mind-training: apply knowledge (viveka) as a controlling ‘goad’ to restrain senses; cultivate eloquence, firmness, and crisis-endurance as supports for self-mastery.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Indriya-damana: The Sense-Elephant and the Goad of Knowledge","lookup_keywords":["indriya-nigraha","dantin","jñānāṅkuśa","viṣaya-araṇya","āpatsahiṣṇutā"],"quick_summary":"The senses are likened to a rampaging elephant in a forest of objects; knowledge is the goad that restrains it. Supporting disciplines—eloquence, firmness, and endurance in adversity—aid control and steadiness."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (extended metaphor): indriyas as elephant; viṣayas as forest; jñāna as aṅkuśa
Concept: Indriya-nigraha through jñāna (viveka) supported by vāk (disciplined speech), dārḍhya (firm resolve), and āpatsahiṣṇutā (forbearance under adversity).
Application: When tempted by sense-objects, pause and apply a ‘knowledge question’: Is it beneficial (hita) or harmful (ahita)? Reinforce with measured speech, firm commitments, and practicing calm response during crises.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Niti / Subhashita on self-mastery and mental discipline)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wise person stands at the edge of a dense forest labeled ‘sense-objects’ while a powerful elephant labeled ‘senses’ charges; the sage holds an ankusha (elephant goad) labeled ‘knowledge’. Nearby, three supporting emblems: a scroll for eloquence, a rock for firmness, and a storm endured calmly for adversity-endurance; syllables kha, gha, ja, jha appear as mnemonic marks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized forest with patterned foliage, a calm sage with ornate ankuśa marked ‘jñāna’, a dynamic elephant with expressive eyes, mnemonic syllables integrated as decorative script motifs, earthy reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sage with halo holding golden ankuśa, elephant in mid-motion, gold leaf highlighting the goad and script syllables kha-gha-ja-jha, rich jewel tones, symmetrical devotional-didactic composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional scene: labeled elements (viṣaya-araṇya, indriya-dantin, jñānāṅkuśa), fine linework, soft colors, emphasis on clarity of metaphor and mnemonic syllables.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed woodland with naturalistic elephant and scholar in simple robes, delicate calligraphy of kha/gha/ja/jha in margins, subtle narrative of restraint, floral border and fine shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रकीर्णविषयारण्ये = प्रकीर्ण + विषय + अरण्ये (समास/सन्धि); दार्ढ्यमापत्कालसहिष्णुतेति = दार्ढ्यम् + आपत्कालसहिष्णुता + इति; ज्ञानाङ्कुशेन = ज्ञान + अङ्कुशेन; वश्यमिन्द्रियदन्तिनं = वश्यम् + इन्द्रियदन्तिनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Nīti passages on ṣaḍvarga and self-control (adjacent 237.7)
FAQs
It teaches indriya-nigraha (sense-control) using jñāna (discriminative knowledge) as the practical instrument—like an elephant-goad—to restrain the wandering senses amid tempting objects.
Alongside rituals and cosmology, the Agni Purana includes niti and inner discipline: this verse provides a compact psychological model (senses as an elephant) and applied ethics (eloquence, firmness, endurance) for daily conduct.
Mastery of the senses through knowledge reduces impulsive action, supports dharma, and stabilizes the practitioner during संकट/आपत्काल (adversity), thereby aiding purification and steady spiritual progress.