Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
कुर्वीतात्सहिताङ्क्षी परिचारं महीपतिः वाग्मी प्रगल्भः स्मृतिमानुदग्रो बलवान् वशी
kurvītātsahitāṅkṣī paricāraṃ mahīpatiḥ vāgmī pragalbhaḥ smṛtimānudagro balavān vaśī
மகீபதி (அரசன்) பணியாளராக விழிப்புடன் ஒத்துழைப்பவனை நியமிக்க வேண்டும்; வாக்காற்றல் உடையவன், துணிவானவன், கடமை நினைவுடையவன், உற்சாகமிக்கவன், வலிமையுடையவன், மேலும் தன்னடக்கமுடையவன் ஆக வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructional narration in Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Personnel selection for royal service: appoint attendants/aides who are cooperative, vigilant, eloquent, confident, duty-mindful, energetic, strong, and self-controlled—key for reliable execution and security.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ideal royal attendant (paricāra) qualifications","lookup_keywords":["parichara","vagmi","pragalbha","smritiman","vashi"],"quick_summary":"Choose close aides by competence and restraint: cooperative vigilance, persuasive speech, confident initiative, reliable memory of duties, vigor, strength, and self-control."}
Concept: Nīti as applied psychology: proximity to power requires combined skill (vāk) and restraint (vaśitā) with dependable memory and vigor.
Application: HR protocol: test aides for cooperative temperament, communication skill, stress behavior, recall of instructions, physical fitness, and impulse control; rotate duties to prevent complacency.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Kingship / Niti)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king appoints an attendant after tests: the candidate demonstrates eloquence before ministers, performs a vigilance watch, recalls instructions from a scroll, shows strength in controlled training, and maintains calm self-restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, appointment scene with king and candidate, panels showing speech test, night watch with lamp, memory test with palm-leaf, disciplined strength training; bold outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ceremonial appointment with gold embellishments, candidate holding a scroll, guards and ministers, gold-highlighted weapons kept sheathed to show restraint, rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence: eloquence, vigilance, memory, fitness, self-control; fine linework, labeled attributes, calm court setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace interior, candidate demonstrating rhetoric to courtiers, later shown in guard duty and training yard; realistic faces, textiles, and architectural perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kurvītātsahitāṅkṣī = kurvīta + sahitāṅkṣī (t/danda in IAST reflects euphonic joining in transmission); vāgmī = vāk + mī (k + m → gm); smṛtimānudagro = smṛtimān + udagraḥ (n + u → nu).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on amātya/servant qualities, dūta qualities, and court organization
FAQs
Administrative and governance guidance: criteria for selecting a king’s attendant—vigilance, cooperation, eloquence, confidence, attentiveness, vigor, strength, and self-restraint.
It shows the Purana’s coverage beyond ritual into statecraft (rajadharma), detailing practical standards for court administration and personnel selection.
Right appointment supports dharmic rule: disciplined and virtuous service helps maintain social order, reducing harm from negligence and promoting righteous governance.