Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 48
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
दण्डांस्त दण्डयेद्राजा स्वं रक्षेच्च विषादितः स्त्रियः पुत्रांश् च शत्रुभ्यो विश्वसेन्न कदाचन
daṇḍāṃsta daṇḍayedrājā svaṃ rakṣecca viṣāditaḥ striyaḥ putrāṃś ca śatrubhyo viśvasenna kadācana
พระราชาพึงลงโทษด้วยโทษอันสมควร; พึงระวังตนและคุ้มครองตนอยู่เสมอ; พึงปกป้องสตรีและบุตรจากศัตรู และไม่พึงไว้วางใจศัตรูในกาลใดๆ
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, within Rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Penal governance with constant vigilance: apply proportionate punishments, maintain personal security, protect vulnerable dependents, and avoid trusting enemies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daṇḍa-nīti: due punishment, vigilance, and non-trust of foes","lookup_keywords":["daṇḍa (punishment)","rāja-rakṣā (king’s security)","strī-putra-rakṣā","śatru","aviśvāsa"],"quick_summary":"A king must enforce punishments appropriately, remain vigilant, safeguard himself and dependents, and never rely on enemies."}
Concept: Daṇḍa is a dharmic instrument when proportionate; vigilance and protection of dependents are integral to kingship.
Application: Establish graded penalties, maintain guard rotations and intelligence checks, and implement protective protocols for the royal household.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Penal Policy)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king administers measured punishment in court, keeps vigilant guards around himself, and ensures the safety of women and children while spies watch for enemy plots.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: courtroom with king, restrained offender, dharma-scale motif, palace guards in layered rings, women and children escorted to safety; bold contours, flat yet rich colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: king with gold-ornamented throne, symbolic daṇḍa staff, attendants and guards; protected royal family to the side; gold embossing emphasizing authority and protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative panels—(1) sentencing with proportionality, (2) vigilant guard detail, (3) safe quarters for women/sons, (4) enemy envoy kept at distance; fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: durbar justice scene with scribes recording verdict, guards alert, veiled women and children in protected alcove, suspicious enemy emissary in background; intricate textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दण्डान्+तत्→दण्डांस्तत् (न्→ं before त्); दण्डयेत्+राजा→दण्डयेद्राजा (त्→द्); रक्षेत्+च→रक्षेच्च; विश्वसेत्+न→विश्वसेन्न (त्→न् before न)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238 (Rājadharma: daṇḍa and protection); Agni Purana 239 (foreign policy measures)
FAQs
It imparts Daṇḍa-nīti: the practical governance principle that a king must enforce proportionate punishment, maintain personal vigilance, and ensure protected dependents (women and children) are secured from hostile threats.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied statecraft—penal administration, security doctrine, and enemy-policy—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of law and governance alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
Upholding just punishment and protecting the vulnerable are framed as kingly dharma; fulfilling this duty supports social order (dharma-saṁsthāpanā) and accrues merit through righteous protection and restraint.