Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 15
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
दृढभक्तिरकर्ता च वैराणां सचिवो भवेत् स्मृतिस्तत्परतार्थेषु चित्तज्ञो ज्ञाननिश् चयः
dṛḍhabhaktirakartā ca vairāṇāṃ sacivo bhavet smṛtistatparatārtheṣu cittajño jñānaniś cayaḥ
เขาควรมีความภักดีมั่นคงและไม่กระทำตามอำเภอใจ ควรเป็นที่ปรึกษาแม้ในกิจเกี่ยวกับศัตรู มีความจำแน่นอนในเรื่องที่สอดคล้องกับเป้าหมาย รู้ใจคน และมีความมั่นใจเด็ดขาดในความรู้.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Operational ethics of counsel: loyalty, restraint from impulsive action, strategic advisement even with enemies, strong memory aligned to objectives, psychological insight, and epistemic certainty.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mantrinīti (Loyalty, Restraint, and Mind-Reading in Counsel)","lookup_keywords":["dṛḍhabhakti","smṛti","cittajña","jñāna-niścaya","vaira"],"quick_summary":"A minister must be steadfastly loyal and non-impulsive, capable of advising in hostile contexts, with reliable memory for goal-aligned matters, insight into minds, and firm knowledge-certainty."}
Concept: Cittajñatā (knowing minds) and jñāna-niścaya (certainty) are inner disciplines that stabilize outer governance; restraint is superior to impulse.
Application: Institutionalize confidential advisory protocols; train ministers in deliberation, adversarial negotiation, and psychological reading while maintaining loyalty and non-reactivity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Ministers, and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister whispers counsel to the king behind a screen, while envoys of an enemy kingdom wait; the minister’s calm face suggests restraint and mind-reading; sealed documents indicate secrecy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: king and minister in close counsel, stylized screen, enemy envoys at side, sealed palm-leaf bundles, warm tones, strong outlines emphasizing secrecy.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: intimate counsel scene with gold-embossed screen and throne, minister leaning slightly, enemy envoy figures at edge, rich ornamentation and solemn mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic diplomacy tableau—minister pointing to strategy map, notes on smṛti and niścaya on scrolls, soft palette, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: negotiation chamber with fine textiles, minister and king conferring, envoys with gifts, detailed facial expressions conveying psychological insight."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dṛḍhabhaktirakartā → dṛḍhabhaktiḥ akartā. smṛtistatparatārtheṣu → smṛtiḥ tatparatā artheṣu. jñānaniś cayaḥ normalized to jñāna-niścayaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238.12; Agni Purana 238.13; Agni Purana 238.14; Agni Purana 238.16
FAQs
It teaches rajadharma criteria for selecting a minister: loyalty, restraint from impulsive independent action, diplomatic capability even with enemies, strong memory for policy aims, psychological insight, and decisive knowledge.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied governance doctrine—ministerial qualifications, decision-making discipline, and diplomatic intelligence—showing its coverage of political science and administration.
By urging disciplined, loyal, and knowledge-based counsel aligned with righteous aims, the verse frames public service as dharmic conduct that reduces harm, prevents unjust action, and supports social order (dharma) as a meritorious duty.