Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Sahāya-sampattiḥ (Securing Support/Allies): Royal Appointments, Court Offices, Spies, and Personnel Ethics
खड्गधारी रक्षकः स्यात्दारथिः स्याद्बलादिवित् सूदाध्यक्षो हितो विज्ञो महानसगतो हि सः
khaḍgadhārī rakṣakaḥ syātdārathiḥ syādbalādivit sūdādhyakṣo hito vijño mahānasagato hi saḥ
ผู้ถือดาบพึงเป็นผู้พิทักษ์; สารถีควรรู้เรื่องกำลังและสิ่งที่เกี่ยวข้อง. หัวหน้าครัวและเสบียงควรเป็นผู้มีไมตรีและชำนาญ; เขาเกี่ยวข้องกับ “มหานส” คือครัวหลวง.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Role-definition for royal household security and logistics: appointing a sword-bearing guard, a tactically aware charioteer, and a competent kitchen/provisions superintendent to ensure protection and steady supply.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Royal Household Posts: Protector, Charioteer, Kitchen Superintendent","lookup_keywords":["khadgadhari rakshaka","darathi charioteer","soodadhyaksha","mahanasa","rajagriha vyavastha"],"quick_summary":"Defines key palace functionaries: a sword-bearing protector, a charioteer versed in forces, and a capable superintendent of cooks/provisions tied to the royal kitchen stores."}
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Rajadharma requires competent delegation: protection and provisioning are pillars of stable rule.
Application: Create clear job descriptions and appoint qualified, loyal officers for security and supply-chain continuity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Governance and Royal Administration (Amatya–Sevaka–Vyavastha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a royal palace: a sword-bearing guard stands alert; a charioteer consults on troop/force readiness; the kitchen superintendent oversees cooks and granaries in the great royal kitchen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural palette; palace corridor with khadga-dhari guard, charioteer with reins and chariot emblem, and soodadhyaksha supervising steaming cauldrons and store-jars; flat decorative detailing, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold leaf highlights; regal court interior, guard with ornate sword, charioteer near a stylized chariot wheel, kitchen superintendent with ledgers and vessels; rich reds and greens, jeweled ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework; instructional tableau labeling roles—protector, charioteer, kitchen superintendent—showing orderly palace logistics and stores; soft shading and delicate faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed palace kitchen and guardroom; naturalistic utensils, attendants, and a charioteer discussing force readiness; fine textiles, architectural arches, and marginal floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्+दारथिः→स्याद् दारथिः; स्यात्+बलादिवित्→स्याद् बलादिवित्; महानसगतः+हि→महानसगतो हि (ओ-आदेशः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on ministers/servants (Amatya–Sevaka–Vyavastha); Agni Purana passages on royal household management and fort/army offices
FAQs
It specifies functional qualifications for key royal staff—security (armed protector), mobility/warfare support (charioteer knowledgeable about forces), and provisioning (a competent, loyal kitchen/provisions superintendent).
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves statecraft details: job definitions, competency requirements, and palace logistics—showing the text’s coverage of governance, security, and administrative management.
By prescribing competent, loyal service in protective and sustaining roles, it supports dharmic kingship—order, safety, and proper maintenance of the ruler’s household—seen as merit-producing through righteous governance.