Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
पौरुषं दैवसम्पत्त्या काले फलति भार्गव दैवं पुरुषकारश् च द्वयं पुंसः फलावहं
pauruṣaṃ daivasampattyā kāle phalati bhārgava daivaṃ puruṣakāraś ca dvayaṃ puṃsaḥ phalāvahaṃ
ஓ பார்கவா! தெய்வ ஆதரவு இருந்தால் மனித முயற்சி காலத்திற்கேற்றபடி பலன் தரும். மனிதனுக்கு தெய்வமும் முயற்சியும்—இரண்டும் சேர்ந்து பலனளிப்பவை.
Lord Agni (instructing Bhārgava)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Strategic planning: align human initiative with timing and enabling conditions (‘daiva-sampatti’), emphasizing patience, preparedness, and opportunistic execution for results.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Joint Causality: Daiva and Puruṣakāra as Co-producers of Results","lookup_keywords":["daiva-sampatti","kāla","phala","puruṣakāra","dvaya"],"quick_summary":"Effort fructifies in time when supported by favorable conditions; both destiny and exertion together yield outcomes. Practically, act vigorously while also cultivating conditions and timing."}
Concept: Results arise from a conjunction: puruṣakāra needs kāla and daiva-sampatti (supporting conditions), and daiva alone is incomplete without human action.
Application: For kings: prepare resources, alliances, and morale (conditions), then act decisively at the right time; for individuals: combine effort with patience and situational awareness.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Doctrine of human effort and divine providence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A balanced allegory: two oxen yoked together pull a cart labeled ‘phala’—one ox is ‘daiva’, the other ‘puruṣakāra’; a sun-clock indicates ‘kāla’ as the timing of fruition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic yoke with two forces personified, cart of fruits/harvest labeled phala, sun-disc and time-wheel above, ornate temple border, saturated reds/ochres/greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed yoke and cart, two stylized figures/animals representing daiva and puruṣakāra, radiant gold sun for kāla, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional allegory with neat labels, soft gradients, emphasis on the yoke (coordination) and sun-clock (timing), minimalistic but elegant gold accents","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, pastoral scene with a cart being drawn by two animals, inscriptions on banners for daiva and puruṣakāra, detailed landscape and a prominent sun/time motif, fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दैवसम्पत्त्या = दैव + सम्पत्त्या; पुरुषकारश् च = पुरुषकारः + च (विसर्ग-सन्धिः); फलावहम् = फल + आवहम् (समास)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224.33 (twofold dependence); Agni Purana 225.1–2 (daiva as past karma; effort overcoming adversity)
FAQs
This verse teaches Nīti-śāstra (practical ethics): success arises from combining puruṣakāra (disciplined personal effort) with daiva (favorable conditions/providence), emphasizing timing (kāla) and strategy in action.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and specialized sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves statecraft and moral philosophy; this verse encapsulates a key governance principle—balancing initiative with circumstance—typical of its wide-ranging, encyclopedic scope.
Spiritually, it harmonizes karma (self-effort and past actions) with daiva (the ripening of karmic results through time), encouraging steady righteous effort while accepting outcomes as conditioned by providential timing.