Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
विनीतत्वं धार्मिकता साधोश् च नृपतेर्गुणाः प्रख्यातवंशमक्रूरं लोकसङ्ग्राहिणं शुचिं
vinītatvaṃ dhārmikatā sādhoś ca nṛpaterguṇāḥ prakhyātavaṃśamakrūraṃ lokasaṅgrāhiṇaṃ śuciṃ
विनीतत्वं धार्मिकता साधोश्च नृपतेर्गुणाः। प्रख्यातवंशमक्रूरं लोकसङ्ग्राहिणं शुचिम्॥
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Kingship ethics: cultivate humility, dharma, and sādhutā; avoid cruelty; unify society (loka-saṅgraha) through fair rule and personal purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-guṇas: humility, dharma, non-cruelty, and loka-saṅgraha","lookup_keywords":["vinita","dharmika","sadhu","akroora","loka-sangrahin"],"quick_summary":"A king’s legitimacy rests on humble discipline, righteousness, saintly restraint, non-cruel governance, social cohesion, and personal purity supported by reputable lineage."}
Concept: Loka-saṅgraha (holding society together) as a dharmic aim of rulership; power must be tempered by vinaya and ahiṃsā-like non-cruelty.
Application: Administration: reduce punitive excess, ensure fair hearings, protect vulnerable groups, and model humility; public policy aimed at cohesion (conflict mediation, equitable taxation, relief in calamities).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Kingship, ethics, and governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble king bows slightly to sages, listens to petitions, restrains punishment, and brings disputing groups into harmony; his court is orderly and clean, symbolizing purity and non-cruel authority.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with folded hands before sages, petitioners in rows, a restrained guard lowering a weapon, harmonious groups reconciled; bold palette and temple-mural symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with gold crown yet humble posture, sages with halos, gold-embossed court details, scene of reconciliation and benevolent rule","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic kingship scene: humility before sages, fair judgment, social cohesion; fine lines, soft colors, clear narrative sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court of justice with king listening, scribes recording, disputants reconciled, minimal violence; detailed textiles and architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sādhoś ca = sādhoḥ + ca (visarga before c → ś); nṛpaterguṇāḥ = nṛpateḥ + guṇāḥ (visarga before g → r). prakhyātavaṃśamakrūraṃ = prakhyāta-vaṃśam + akrūram (m + a → ma).
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma on daṇḍa with restraint, prajā-rañjana, and śauca
FAQs
This verse imparts Rajadharma (statecraft ethics): the operational qualities required of a ruler—humility, dharmic governance, non-cruelty, social cohesion (loka-saṅgraha), and personal purity.
By codifying kingly virtues, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into practical governance and moral-political theory, alongside its many other domains (ritual, law, arts, and sciences).
A king who rules with dharma, purity, and non-cruelty protects social order and reduces harm, generating merit (puṇya) for himself and stability for the realm—supporting both worldly welfare and righteous karma.