Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 32
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
नानाप्रहणोपेतो नानायुद्धविशारदः सत्त्वमारोग्यं कुलमेव चेति ज मख्यव्यसननायक इति ग उच्चप्रकारगोपुरमिति घ , ञ च नानायोधसमाकीर्णौ नीराजितहयद्विपः
nānāprahaṇopeto nānāyuddhaviśāradaḥ sattvamārogyaṃ kulameva ceti ja makhyavyasananāyaka iti ga uccaprakāragopuramiti gha , ña ca nānāyodhasamākīrṇau nīrājitahayadvipaḥ
అనేక రకాల ఆయుధాలతో సముపేతుడై, అనేక యుద్ధవిధానాలలో నిపుణుడై ఉండటం—ఇవి లక్షణాలు. ధైర్యం, ఆరోగ్యం, ఉత్తమ కులం—ఇది ‘జ’. ఆపదలు మరియు వ్యసనాలను జయింపజేసే నాయకుడు—ఇది ‘గ’. ఎత్తైన ప్రాకారాలు, గోపురమున్న దుర్గం—ఇది ‘ఘ’. వివిధ యోధులతో నిండిన, అలంకరింపబడిన అశ్వ-గజాలతో ప్రకాశించే సేనావ్యూహం—ఇది ‘ఞ’.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Assessment of commanders and military positions; classification of fortifications and camp-readiness for deployment and defense.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Marks of commanders and fortified encampments (weapon-skill, health, lineage, vice-overcoming, fortification, adorned cavalry-elephants)","lookup_keywords":["senapati-lakshana","durga-gopura","yuddha-visharada","vyasana-nayaka","haya-dvipa-sajja"],"quick_summary":"Gives a checklist for evaluating a war-leader and an army-position: multi-weapon competence, courage/health/lineage, ability to manage calamities and vices, strong fortification with gate-tower, and a well-ordered force with resplendent horses and elephants."}
Weapon Type: Multiple weapons (nana-praharaṇa)
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-based evaluation: external and internal marks reveal fitness for leadership and security.
Application: Use objective criteria (skill, health, lineage, vice-management, fortification quality, troop order) when appointing commanders and choosing encampments.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dhanurveda (Royal polity and military science: omens, marks of commanders, and fortified encampments)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fortified encampment with high ramparts and a prominent gate-tower; ranks of varied warriors; horses and elephants adorned and inspected for readiness; a commander displaying multi-weapon mastery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, a fortified durga with tall ramparts and gopura, orderly ranks of infantry, cavalry, and elephant corps with ornate caparisons, commander holding multiple weapons, ceremonial inspection atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights on the gopura and elephant ornaments, richly decorated horses and elephants, commander in regal attire with weapon array, symmetrical composition emphasizing fort strength and splendor","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing labeled military units and fort elements (rampart, gate-tower), commander demonstrating different weapons, clear instructional layout with disciplined troop formations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed fort walls and gate-tower, bustling camp with diverse warriors, jeweled elephant howdahs and bridles, commander reviewing troops, intricate textiles and armor patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved as: kulam+eva→kulam eva; ceti→ca iti; gopuramiti→gopuram iti. Several syllables (ja/ga/gha/ña markers) appear as manuscript/edition labels; ‘makhya-’ reading is uncertain from provided text.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections on army divisions (caturaṅga-bala) and fortifications (durga-vidhi); Agni Purana Rajadharma/Nīti portions on selecting ministers and allies
FAQs
It lists operational markers of military readiness: a commander’s competence (multi-weapon, multi-tactic expertise), personal fitness (courage, health, lineage), crisis-management leadership, and the visible strength of a fortified, well-equipped force with cavalry and elephants.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied statecraft and Dhanurveda—classifying leadership qualities and fortification/army indicators—showing it functions as a compendium of governance and military organization, not only devotional material.
By framing righteous kingship as disciplined leadership and protection of subjects, the verse supports the dharmic ideal that power must be guided by steadiness, health, and restraint from destructive vices—aligning political action with dharma and social welfare.