Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 29
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
द्वैधीभावेन तिष्ठेत काकाक्षिवदलक्षितः उभयोरपि सम्पाते सेवेत बलवत्तरं
dvaidhībhāvena tiṣṭheta kākākṣivadalakṣitaḥ ubhayorapi sampāte seveta balavattaraṃ
அவன் த்வைதீபாவம் எனும் இருநிலைத் தந்திரத்தில் இருந்து, காகத்தின் கண்போல் தன் நோக்கத்தை மறைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்; இரு தரப்பும் மோதும் போது வலிமையான தரப்பைச் சார வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma/nīti to Vasiṣṭha, as typical of Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Diplomatic posture of strategic ambiguity: maintain a dual policy until circumstances force alignment; then side with the stronger coalition to preserve state security.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvaidhībhāva (Dual Policy) and Attachment to the Stronger","lookup_keywords":["dvaidhībhāva","kākākṣi-vat","dual policy","strategic ambiguity","balavattara-śaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Maintain a deliberately ambiguous stance (like the crow’s eye seeming to look both ways) while monitoring both sides; when confrontation becomes unavoidable, align with the stronger party to minimize loss."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Pragmatic state survival through controlled ambiguity and timely alignment
Application: Use non-committal diplomacy to buy time; decide only when forced, choosing the side that ensures continuity of polity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Statecraft, Diplomacy, and Political Strategy)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in council keeps a neutral posture between two rival delegations, his gaze subtly shifting like a crow’s eye; behind him advisers whisper and spies observe, while two armies loom in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: royal court scene with two rival emissaries on either side, the king seated centrally with restrained expression, stylized eyes suggesting ‘kākākṣi’, warm earthy palette, ornate borders, attendants and palm-leaf documents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: king on jeweled throne with gold-leaf highlights, two envoys presenting gifts, the king’s hand in a measured gesture of non-commitment, symbolic crow motif near the throne, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional court tableau with labeled elements—king, ministers, spies, two factions—clean lines, delicate shading, emphasis on the ‘dual policy’ stance and later pointing toward the stronger side.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar with two delegations, subtle facial expressions, a crow perched on a lattice window as metaphor, distant battlefield haze, fine textiles and architectural detail, balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काकाक्षिवदलक्षितः = काकाक्षि-वत्-लक्षितः; उभयोरपि = उभयोः अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Nīti sections on sandhi-vigraha and ṣāḍguṇya (six measures); Agni Purana chapters on dūta (envoy) and gupta-cāra (spies)
FAQs
It teaches the nīti (statecraft) tactic of dvaidhībhāva—maintaining a dual posture with concealed intent, and pragmatically aligning with the stronger side when a decisive confrontation or convergence occurs.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles practical disciplines; here it preserves a concise rule of classical Indian diplomacy and alliance-management, showing the text’s coverage of governance alongside ritual, medicine, and arts.
In rajadharma terms, it frames political conduct as duty-bound prudence: preserving stability and minimizing harm through strategic restraint, with action taken only when circumstances compel a clear alignment.