Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
दुष्टान्याचरते या तु नाबिनन्दति तत्कथां ऐक्यं द्विषद्भिर्व्रजति गर्वं वहति चोद्धता
duṣṭānyācarate yā tu nābinandati tatkathāṃ aikyaṃ dviṣadbhirvrajati garvaṃ vahati coddhatā
தீய செயல்களைச் செய்பவளும், அந்த (தர்மமயமான) உரையைக் கேட்டு மகிழாதவளும், பகைவர்களுடன் கூட்டிணைவு கொள்பவளும், அகந்தையால் திமிருடன் பெருமை சுமப்பவளும்—அவள் கெடுபிடியான இயல்புடையவள் என அறியப்பட வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical screening and counsel in royal/household contexts: identify harmful character traits (association with malicious, disdain for virtuous counsel, arrogance) to prevent intrigue and moral decline.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lakṣaṇas of Corrupt Disposition: Wicked Acts, Bad Company, Pride","lookup_keywords":["duṣṭa-ācāra","dviṣad-saṅga","garva","sadācāra","nīti"],"quick_summary":"A corrupt nature is indicated by wicked conduct, dislike of virtuous discourse, alliance with the malicious, and haughtiness. Such traits warn rulers/householders to apply caution in trust and proximity."}
Concept: Saṅga (company) shapes character; contempt for sat-kathā and dominance of garva are markers of adharma.
Application: Prefer advisers/companions who delight in dharmic counsel; treat arrogance and malicious alliances as red flags in appointments and intimate trust.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Sadācāra (Ethics and conduct; traits of the wicked)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A moral contrast scene: a virtuous discourse being delivered in a hall while one arrogant figure turns away and joins a group of malicious whisperers; pride shown through posture and expression.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative split: left side sage reciting dharma-kathā, right side haughty figure with raised chin joining dark-toned whispering group, strong gesture language, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, court hall with gold detailing, central dharma discourse, contrasting group of schemers at edge, arrogant figure adorned yet morally marked by posture, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition: labels for ‘sat-kathā’ and ‘dviṣad-saṅga’, expressive faces, restrained background, emphasis on ethical lesson","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely detailed assembly, scholar speaking, one figure turning away to conspirators, subtle psychological realism, intricate textiles and architectural borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: duṣṭānyācarate→duṣṭāni ācarate; nābinandati→na abhinandati; tatkathām→tat-kathām; dviṣadbhirvrajati→dviṣadbhiḥ vrajati; coddhatā→ca uddhatā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Sadācāra/Nīti sections on qualities of ministers, friends, and household members; warnings against durjana-saṅga
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā (practical ethics): identifying harmful character traits—delighting in wrongdoing, rejecting good counsel, allying with malicious people, and sustained arrogance.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves nīti (ethical diagnostics). This verse functions like a compact behavioral taxonomy used for social discernment and dharmic living.
It warns that rejecting dharmic instruction and seeking alliance with the malicious entrenches arrogance and leads toward adharmic karma; cultivating the opposite—good counsel and noble company—supports purification and merit.