Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
राज्यं राष्ट्रञ्चेति ख , छ , ञ च लक्षयेदिति ञ तथारिमित्रमित्रञ्च विजिगीषोः पुरः स्मृताः पार्ष्णिग्राहः स्मृतः पश्चादाक्रन्दस्तदनन्तरं
rājyaṃ rāṣṭrañceti kha , cha , ña ca lakṣayediti ña tathārimitramitrañca vijigīṣoḥ puraḥ smṛtāḥ pārṣṇigrāhaḥ smṛtaḥ paścādākrandastadanantaraṃ
‘ராஜ்யம்’ மற்றும் ‘ராஷ்ட்ரம்’—இவை (மரபுச் சுட்டுகளின்படி) அறியப்பட வேண்டும். அதுபோல பகைவன், பகைவனின் நண்பன், தன் நண்பன்—இவர்கள் விஜிகீஷுவின் முன்னிலையில் உள்ளோர். அவனுக்குப் பின்னால் ‘பார்ஷ்ணிக்ராஹ’ என்றும், அதன் அடுத்ததாக ‘ஆக்ரந்த’ என்றும் கூறப்படுகிறது।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Operationalize mandala roles around the vijigīṣu: classify front and rear threats (ari/mitra/pārṣṇigrāha/ākranda) and distinguish state components (rājya/rāṣṭra) for planning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Positions in the maṇḍala: vijigīṣu’s front triad and rear threats (pārṣṇigrāha, ākranda)","lookup_keywords":["vijigīṣu","pārṣṇigrāha","ākranda","rājya vs rāṣṭra","mandala positions"],"quick_summary":"Define the political actors by position: enemy and allied states in front; a rear ‘heel-grabber’ and subsequent raider behind—useful for anticipating two-front pressures."}
Concept: Correct naming and positional understanding (saṃjñā and sthāna) enable effective policy and defense.
Application: Before campaigning, assign each neighbor a role (front ally/enemy, rear threat, raider) and allocate forces for rear security and anti-raid response.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft; Mandala theory and political circles)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A strategic map shows the vijigīṣu at center with front-facing enemy/ally nodes and rear nodes labeled ‘pārṣṇigrāha’ and ‘ākranda’, alongside a note distinguishing rājya and rāṣṭra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central king icon with directional layout—front triad and rear threats; stylized landscape bands; bold labels on palm-leaf scroll motifs; traditional flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted directional mandala chart with the king at center; rear threats depicted as shadowy raiders; ornate borders and embossed gold on labels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional diagram with arrows indicating ‘front’ and ‘behind’; small vignettes of raiders and rear-guard troops; delicate coloration and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: cartographic court painting with a painted map on a low table; ministers point to rear threat markers; detailed terrain, forts, and marching columns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राष्ट्रम्+च+इति→राष्ट्रञ्चेति; दण्डयेत्/लक्षयेत् इत्यादि—इति-योग; तथा+अरि...→तथारि...; मित्रम्+च→मित्रञ्च; पश्चात्+आक्रन्दः→पश्चादाक्रन्दः (त्→द्); तत्+अनन्तरम्→तदनन्तरम् (त्→द्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (maṇḍala elaboration)
FAQs
It teaches rajadharma “mandala” classification: how a vijigīṣu (aspiring conqueror) should identify the enemy, the enemy’s ally, one’s own ally, and specific threat-positions like the pārṣṇigrāha (rear attacker) and ākranda (raider/harasser).
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied political science: diplomatic mapping of surrounding powers and threat sequencing—core material for governance, war-planning, and alliance management.
In puranic rajadharma, correctly discerning allies and threats supports righteous rule (dharma-rājya), reducing unjust conflict and protecting subjects—actions held to generate merit through responsible kingship.