Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 37
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
उद्वेजयति भूतानि दण्डपारुष्यवान् नृपः भूतान्युद्वेज्यमानानि द्विषतां यान्ति संश्रयं
udvejayati bhūtāni daṇḍapāruṣyavān nṛpaḥ bhūtānyudvejyamānāni dviṣatāṃ yānti saṃśrayaṃ
พระราชาผู้ลงทัณฑ์อย่างโหดร้ายและใช้อำนาจบีบบังคับย่อมทำให้ประชาชนหวาดกลัว; เมื่อประชาชนหวาดกลัวแล้วก็ไปพึ่งพิงศัตรูของพระองค์
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for rulers to calibrate punishment so governance does not alienate subjects and drive them toward rival powers.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Danda-pāruṣya (Harsh Punishment) as a Cause of Defection","lookup_keywords":["daṇḍa-pāruṣya","udvega","praja","śatru-āśraya","rāja-nīti"],"quick_summary":"Excessive harshness in punishment creates fear among subjects; frightened subjects seek protection under the king’s enemies, weakening the state."}
Concept: Daṇḍa must be proportionate; governance rests on subjects’ security, not terror.
Application: Adopt graded penalties, due process, and conciliatory measures to prevent flight, rebellion, and enemy influence.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Kingship, punishment, and statecraft)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern king ordering severe punishment; frightened townspeople quietly leaving the city and approaching an enemy fort for refuge.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, palace court scene with a harsh king on a throne, guards with staffs, anxious citizens with downcast eyes moving toward a distant enemy stronghold, rich earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded throne and ornaments, king with raised scepter symbolizing daṇḍa, citizens in fear at the margins, distant enemy king offering shelter, heavy gold leaf highlights and jewel-like colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional narrative panel: left—harsh punishment in court; right—subjects defecting to enemy camp; delicate linework, soft shading, labeled elements like 'daṇḍa-pāruṣya' and 'śatru-āśraya'","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with punitive scene, expressive faces showing fear, a procession of subjects slipping away toward an enemy outpost, architectural detail and fine textiles, subdued yet precise palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूतान्युद्वेज्यमानानि = भूतानि + उद्वेज्यमानानि (इ/उ संधि: इ + उ → यु).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 240 (Rājadharma/Nīti: daṇḍa, vyasana, artha-doṣa)
FAQs
Daṇḍanīti (political science of punishment): punishment must be measured; excessive harshness alienates subjects and weakens the state.
It shows the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical governance (rajadharma) alongside ritual and theology, giving strategic counsel on maintaining loyalty and political stability.
A ruler’s cruelty generates fear and social harm, undermining dharma; just governance supports collective welfare and accrues merit through protection rather than oppression.