Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
नेत्रवक्तविकाराभ्यां गृह्यते ऽन्तर्गतं पुनः नैकस्तु मन्त्रयेन् मन्त्रं न राजा बहुभिः सह
netravaktavikārābhyāṃ gṛhyate 'ntargataṃ punaḥ naikastu mantrayen mantraṃ na rājā bahubhiḥ saha
కళ్లలోను ముఖభావంలోను కలిగే మార్పుల ద్వారా అంతర్గతమైనది కూడా తెలిసిపోతుంది. అందువల్ల ఒంటరిగా మంత్రం ఆలోచించకూడదు; రాజు కూడా అనేకులతో కలిసి ఒకేసారి మంత్రణ చేయకూడదు.
Lord Agni (instructing Vashistha in Rajadharma/statecraft)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Confidentiality protocol in royal counsel: read nonverbal cues; avoid solo deliberation and avoid large-group deliberation to reduce leakage and manipulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mantra-gopanam: secrecy and nonverbal leakage in counsel","lookup_keywords":["mantra-gopanam","raja-mantra","netra-vikara","vaktra-vikara","counsel secrecy"],"quick_summary":"Inner intentions are inferred from eye and facial changes; therefore counsel should be handled with controlled settings—neither alone nor with many—so secrecy and clarity are preserved."}
Concept: Gopanīyatā (confidentiality) and saṃyama (restraint) as foundations of effective governance.
Application: Use small, vetted counsel circles; train leaders to control expressions and to observe others’ micro-signals during sensitive decisions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Counsel, and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in a private council chamber watches a minister’s eyes and facial expression while discussing a sealed scroll; a few trusted advisers stand at a distance, emphasizing secrecy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, ornate palace interior, king on throne observing minister’s eyes and face, minimal advisers, palm-leaf manuscript and sealed scroll, emphasis on expressive eyes, traditional jewelry and textiles","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, royal durbar but intimate, king and one minister near a low table with manuscript, gilded arches and halo-like ornamentation, symbolic closed door for secrecy","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional composition: king, two advisers only, gestures pointing to eyes and face as signs, labeled manuscript bundle, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court chamber, subtle facial expressions, king leaning forward reading micro-cues, a few courtiers in background, delicate textiles, manuscript and inkpot"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Raga Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नेत्रवक्तविकाराभ्यां = नेत्र-वक्त-विकाराभ्याम्; गृह्यते ऽन्तर्गतं = गृह्यते + अन्तर्गतम्; नैकस्तु = न + एकः + तु; मन्त्रयेन् = मन्त्रयेत् (विधिलिङ्); बहुभिः सह kept as separate words.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (Rajadharma/Niti: counsel, ministers, secrecy)
FAQs
It teaches practical statecraft: hidden intentions become readable through involuntary facial and eye changes, so counsel (mantra) should be handled through controlled, limited consultation—neither in complete isolation nor in a large group.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge for rulers—psychological observation, confidentiality, and decision-making protocols—showing its wide scope across dharma, polity, and pragmatic governance.
Right counsel protects dharma and prevents harm caused by careless speech, secrecy breaches, or impulsive decisions; disciplined consultation supports righteous rule, which is traditionally linked to merit (punya) and social order.