Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 27
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
नानादेश्यैः समाकीर्णो धार्मिकः पशुमान् बली ईदृक्जनपदः शस्तो ऽमूर्खव्यसनिनायकः
nānādeśyaiḥ samākīrṇo dhārmikaḥ paśumān balī īdṛkjanapadaḥ śasto 'mūrkhavyasanināyakaḥ
பல தேசங்களிலிருந்து வந்த மக்களால் நிரம்பி, தர்மநெறியுடன், கால்நடைச் செல்வம் மிகுந்து, வலிமை உடைய நாட்டை—முட்டாளும் அல்ல, தீய பழக்கங்களுக்கு அடிமையும் அல்லாத தலைவன் ஆளின்—அது பாராட்டத்தக்கது।
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"State assessment: criteria for a prosperous, stable janapada and the ethical-psychological qualification of its ruler (avoidance of folly and addictions).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Lakshana of a Shasta Janapada (Commendable Realm)","lookup_keywords":["janapada-lakshana","dharmika-rajya","pashuman","bala","avyasana-nayaka"],"quick_summary":"A good realm is diverse and populous, righteous, well-provisioned in livestock, and strong; it becomes especially praiseworthy under a leader free from stupidity and vice."}
Concept: Prosperity and strength are to be grounded in dharma and in the ruler’s self-mastery (freedom from vyasana).
Application: Governance ethics: cultivate personal discipline; appoint leaders screened for addiction/vice; measure realm health by dharmic conduct and productive assets.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and the qualities of a good kingdom)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A thriving kingdom with mixed regional peoples, cattle herds, granaries, and a composed king seated in council, symbolizing dharmic strength and sobriety.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, a dharmic king in sabha with ministers, diverse townsfolk and cattle in the background, palm trees and temple town ambience, ornate borders, traditional facial features.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned king with halo-like arch, gold leaf detailing on throne and ornaments, attendants and cattle wealth depicted in panels, rich reds and greens, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework, courtly council scene with labeled attributes (dharma, bala, pashu), soft shading, instructional feel, minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with diverse regional costumes, cattle and market scene beyond palace terrace, fine textiles, naturalistic faces, delicate flora, balanced perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शस्तो ऽमूर्ख… = शस्तः + अमूर्ख… (visarga before vowel → ’). ईदृक्जनपदः = ईदृक् + जनपदः (k + j sandhi). नानादेश्यैः treated as नाना + देश्यैः (semantic split; written together).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on kingly virtues and vyasana-tyaga; Agni Purana chapters on janapada/rajya-sampat
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma criteria for evaluating a state: demographic vitality (diverse population), dharmic conduct, economic base (livestock wealth), military/administrative strength, and a ruler free from folly and addictions.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical political science: it defines measurable markers of a stable kingdom and the moral qualifications of leadership, aligning prosperity with ethics and governance capacity.
A dharmic realm led by a self-controlled, non-addicted ruler supports righteous living for the populace; such governance reduces collective harm (adharma) and increases merit (puṇya) through social order, protection, and ethical prosperity.