Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Prātyahika-Rāja-Karma
Daily Duties of a King
शास्त्राणि चिन्तयेद् दृष्ट्वा योधान् कोष्ठायुधं गृहं अन्वास्य पश्चिमां सन्ध्यां कार्याणि च विचिन्त्य तु
śāstrāṇi cintayed dṛṣṭvā yodhān koṣṭhāyudhaṃ gṛhaṃ anvāsya paścimāṃ sandhyāṃ kāryāṇi ca vicintya tu
போர்வீரர்கள், ஆயுதக் களஞ்சியம் (கோஷ்டாயுதம்), இல்ல நிர்வாகம் ஆகியவற்றை ஆய்ந்து, சாஸ்திரங்களைச் சிந்திக்க வேண்டும்; மேலும் மாலைச் சந்தியா (பச்சிம சந்தியா) அனுஷ்டித்து, செய்யவேண்டிய காரியங்களையும் ஆராய வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Daily administrative-military inspection (troops, armoury, establishment) combined with śāstra reflection and evening sandhyā, followed by planning next actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daily rāja-dina-caryā: troop/armoury inspection, śāstra-cintana, paścimā sandhyā, task deliberation","lookup_keywords":["yodha-parīkṣā","koṣṭhāyudha","gṛha","śāstra-cintana","paścimā sandhyā"],"quick_summary":"Inspect personnel and resources, study guiding treatises, perform evening sandhyā, and then deliberate on pending duties—linking readiness, learning, and ritual discipline."}
Weapon Type: Koṣṭhāyudha (armoury weapons in store)
Concept: Integrated life of action and restraint: governance and military preparedness are grounded in śāstra-guided reflection and sandhyā observance.
Application: Create an evening protocol: inspect troops and armoury, review policy/war manuals, perform sandhyā, then finalize next-day actions and priorities.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Daily discipline for rulers/warriors; military administration and conduct)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or commander tours a training ground inspecting warriors, then visits an armoury with racks of weapons, returns to the palace to study śāstras, performs evening sandhyā at sunset, and finally consults on pending tasks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural narrative band: warriors lined with shields and bows; armoury with stylized weapon racks; king reading palm-leaf manuscripts; sunset sandhyā with water offering; bold colors and rhythmic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal figure with gold-ornamented attire; background armoury with gleaming weapons; small inset of sandhyā at sunset with golden sky; rich gold work on arms and throne elements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: labeled scenes of yodha inspection, koṣṭhāyudha inventory, śāstra study desk, and sandhyā posture facing west; fine detailing and calm palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic palace complex: courtyard with troops, adjacent armoury room, quiet library chamber, terrace at sunset for sandhyā; intricate architecture and naturalistic dusk sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चिन्तयेद् → चिन्तयेत् (द्/त् लिप्यन्तर); अन्यत्र सन्धि न्यूनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Dhanurveda chapters on weapons and military organization; Agni Purana: Rajadharma on daily duties and inspections; Agni Purana: Sandhyā/pūjā observance passages
FAQs
It prescribes a ruler/commander’s disciplined routine: inspect troops and the weapons storehouse, study relevant śāstras, perform the evening sandhyā, and then plan pending duties—linking military readiness with ritual regularity.
In a single instruction it integrates multiple domains—statecraft (kārya-vicāra), military logistics (yodha and āyudha-koṣṭha inspection), and daily religious practice (sandhyā)—showing how the text blends governance, war-science, and ritual conduct.
By placing sandhyā and śāstra-reflection alongside administrative action, it frames governance as dharmic service: ritual purity and mindful deliberation are treated as supports for righteous, non-negligent action.