Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Adhyaya 222 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharmāḥ): Duties of Kings (Administrative Order, Protection, and Revenue Ethics
धनवान्धर्ममाप्नोति धनवान् काममश्नुते उच्छिद्यन्ते विना ह्य् अर्थैः क्रिया ग्रीष्मे सरिद्यथा
dhanavāndharmamāpnoti dhanavān kāmamaśnute ucchidyante vinā hy arthaiḥ kriyā grīṣme saridyathā
ధనవంతుడు ధర్మాన్ని పొందుతాడు; ధనవంతుడే కామసుఖాన్ని అనుభవిస్తాడు. ఎందుకంటే అర్థం లేకుండా క్రియలు, కర్మకాండలు గ్రీష్మంలో నది ఎండిపోవునట్లు నిలిచిపోతాయి.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Statecraft and household policy: prioritize stable revenue/wealth creation to sustain dharma (ritual, charity, social duties) and legitimate enjoyment (kama); plan budgets so essential rites and public works do not collapse in scarcity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Artha as the Support of Dharma and Kriya","lookup_keywords":["artha","dharma-artha-sambandha","kriya","raja-dharma","wealth"],"quick_summary":"Wealth (artha) is presented as the practical foundation enabling dharma and kama; without resources, actions and rites cease, like a river drying in summer."}
Alamkara Type: Upama (simile)
Concept: Artha is an enabling cause (sahakari-karana) for dharma and worldly undertakings; ideals require material support.
Application: Design governance/household systems (taxation, savings, granaries, endowments) so religious and civic obligations remain continuous through lean seasons.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Arthashastra (Wealth, governance, and the practical basis of dharma and action)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king or householder with full granaries and treasury enabling rituals and public works; contrasted with a dried summer riverbed where activities stop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, a crowned king beside overflowing granary and treasury, priests performing yajna with ghee and offerings; in the background a parched riverbed under summer sun, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central seated king holding a palm-leaf account ledger and coin purse, gilded granary motifs, small vignette of a dried river in summer; rich reds, ornate borders, devotional-didactic tone.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional tableau: treasury, granary, yajna-vedi, and a side panel showing river drying in grishma; delicate lines, soft shading, labeled objects (kosa, dhanya, yajna).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with accountants and priests, detailed river landscape in the distance showing low water in summer; fine brushwork, naturalistic figures, marginal notes indicating 'artha' and 'kriya'."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धनवान्+धर्मम्→धनवान्धर्मम्; धर्मम्+आप्नोति→धर्ममाप्नोति; कामम्+अश्नुते→काममश्नुते; हि+अर्थैः→ह्यर्थैः; सरित्+यथा→सरिद्यथा (त्→द् before य)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma/Niti sections on taxation, dana, and protection of subjects (same khanda context); Agni Purana discussions on yajna and dana requiring dravya (materials)
FAQs
It teaches the practical principle that artha (material resources) is the enabling condition for kriyā—both worldly undertakings and dhārmic/ritual performances—so planning and support of resources is essential.
By linking dharma and ritual action to artha, it reflects the text’s statecraft-and-ethics strand (rajadharma/arthashastra), integrating spiritual goals with economic and administrative realism.
It emphasizes that sustaining dharma (including charity and rites) requires responsible acquisition and maintenance of artha; neglect of means leads to the cessation of meritorious action, like a river drying in summer.