Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 18
Chapter 225 — राजधर्माः
The Duties of Kings): Daiva and Pौरुष (Effort), Upāyas of Statecraft, and Daṇḍa (Punitive Authority
जगद्व्याप्नोति वै चारैर् अतो राजा समीरणः दोषनिग्रहकारित्वाद्राजा वैवस्वतः प्रभुः
jagadvyāpnoti vai cārair ato rājā samīraṇaḥ doṣanigrahakāritvādrājā vaivasvataḥ prabhuḥ
ด้วยสายสืบ เขาย่อมรับรู้ทั่วทั้งแว่นแคว้นดุจแผ่ซ่านไปทุกแห่ง; เพราะเหตุนั้นพระราชาจึงเรียกว่า ‘สมิรณะ’ (ลม). และเพราะทรงข่มปราบความผิดและอาชญา พระราชาจึงเป็น ‘ไววัสวตะ’ (ดุจยม ผู้พิพากษาแห่งธรรม) ผู้เป็นใหญ่
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instruction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Statecraft tools: intelligence networks for situational awareness and judicial enforcement to suppress wrongdoing; model the king as wind-like omnipresence and Yama-like justice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"King as Samīraṇa (wind) through spies; as Vaivasvata (Yama) through punishment","lookup_keywords":["cāra","spies","samīraṇa","vaivasvata","crime suppression"],"quick_summary":"Spies make the king ‘wind-like’ in reach across the realm, while suppression of faults makes him ‘Yama-like’ as dispenser of justice; together they define effective governance."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Effective rule requires both knowledge (intelligence) and enforcement (fault-suppression); power is legitimized as protection through justice.
Application: Create layered intelligence (open and covert), verify reports, and pair detection with fair adjudication and consistent penalties.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Kingship, Espionage and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king at the center with messengers/spies moving like wind through towns and forests, bringing reports; beside him a Yama-like judicial emblem as he restrains अपराध (faults/crimes).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic ‘wind’ motif with flowing scarves and couriers, spies in disguise among merchants and ascetics, king in palace receiving reports; subtle Yama-symbol with daṇḍa in background; rich earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, king enthroned with gold aura, attendants presenting sealed reports, small vignettes of spies in marketplace and borderlands; Yama emblem with staff rendered in gold relief; ornate arch","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, schematic intelligence network: nodes (villages, forts) connected by couriers, king reviewing reports; separate panel of courtroom punishment for crime suppression; clear instructional layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling city and countryside scenes with undercover agents, then a refined court where the king judges; delicate linework, detailed costumes, marginal notes like a manuscript illustration"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jagadvyāpnoti = jagat vyāpnoti; cārair = cāraiḥ (visarga sandhi); doṣanigrahakāritvādrājā = doṣa-nigraha-kāritvāt rājā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 225 (cāra-vyavasthā and daṇḍa)
FAQs
It imparts rāja-nīti (statecraft): a king must employ cāras (spies) to know the entire realm and apply doṣa-nigraha (discipline/punishment) to curb wrongdoing.
It shows the Purana’s coverage beyond theology—codifying practical governance tools like intelligence gathering and danda-nīti (juridical restraint), aligning kingship with ethical administration.
By restraining doṣas (harmful acts) and protecting subjects, the king performs a dharmic duty akin to Yama’s justice, generating merit through the maintenance of order and prevention of adharma.