Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
नावमानयेत्तद्देश्यानागत्य स्वपुरं पुनः पृष्ठश् चैव रिपुनाशो भवेद्यथेति ट जित्वा शत्रुं प्रदास्यामीति ट जैत्रा यात्रास्त्विति ट प्राप्तविदेशस्तु इति ग , घ , ञ च देशाचारन्तु पालयेदिति ख देशाचारणेण पालयेदिति ग , घ , छ , ज , ञ च जयं प्राप्यार्चयेद्देवान् दद्याद्दानानि पार्थिवः
nāvamānayettaddeśyānāgatya svapuraṃ punaḥ pṛṣṭhaś caiva ripunāśo bhavedyatheti ṭa jitvā śatruṃ pradāsyāmīti ṭa jaitrā yātrāstviti ṭa prāptavideśastu iti ga , gha , ña ca deśācārantu pālayediti kha deśācāraṇeṇa pālayediti ga , gha , cha , ja , ña ca jayaṃ prāpyārcayeddevān dadyāddānāni pārthivaḥ
Pagdating sa banyagang lupain, huwag niyang hamakin ang mga tao roon; at pagbalik sa sariling lungsod, tiyakin niyang mapuksa ang kaaway mula sa likuran ayon sa nararapat. “Pagkatapos magapi ang kaaway, magbibigay ako ng mga kaloob”—ganyan ang sinabi. Ito ang mga paglalakbay ng tagumpay (jaitra-yātrā). Kapag nasa banyagang bansa, sundin ang mga kaugaliang panlugar. Pagkamit ng tagumpay, dapat sambahin ng hari ang mga diyos at magbigay ng kawanggawa.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Diplomatic and campaign conduct: avoid insulting locals in foreign lands, observe local customs, secure rear against enemy action, and after victory perform worship and charity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jaitra-yātrā: Conduct in foreign lands, rear-security, and post-victory rites","lookup_keywords":["jaitra-yatra","paradesha","deshachara","anavamana","rear-security"],"quick_summary":"A victorious expedition requires restraint toward foreign subjects, adherence to local custom for stability, vigilance against rear attacks, and post-victory worship and gifts to consolidate legitimacy."}
Concept: Power must be tempered by restraint and cultural respect; victory is completed by gratitude to the divine and generosity to subjects.
Application: In any expansion/negotiation, avoid humiliation of locals, adapt to local norms, secure vulnerabilities, and follow success with public-benefit actions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, diplomacy, and conduct of a king on campaign)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a foreign city, the king behaves respectfully toward locals, follows their customs, keeps a vigilant rear-guard, then after victory worships and distributes gifts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, foreign-town backdrop with distinct costumes, king greeting locals with restraint, soldiers guarding the rear, later scene of temple worship and alms distribution, bold outlines and ritual color fields.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, post-victory worship scene with gold haloed deity, king offering and then giving gifts to citizens, ornate courtly richness, emphasis on dharmic kingship.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, narrative panels: (1) respectful conduct in foreign land, (2) rear-guard vigilance, (3) victory puja and dana; fine linework and didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, conquered city with diverse populace, king forbidding insult, disciplined troops with rear detachment, victory celebration with charity, detailed architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Darbari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāvamānayet = na avamānayet; taddeśyānāgatya = tat-deśyān āgatya; pṛṣṭhaś caiva = pṛṣṭhaḥ ca eva; bhavedyathā = bhavet yathā; yātrāstviti = yātrāḥ tu iti; prāptavideśastu = prāpta-videśaḥ tu; arcayeddevān = arcayet devān; dadyāddānāni = dadyāt dānāni. The markers ‘ṭa/ga/gha/…’ are editorial variant labels and excluded from pada analysis.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 235 (jaitra-yatra and deshachara passages)
FAQs
It teaches rajadharma for a victorious campaign: do not offend local populations in a conquered/foreign region, uphold regional customs, secure the rear against remaining enemies, and after victory perform deva-pūjā and dāna.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical statecraft—campaign conduct, public policy toward conquered peoples, and post-war religious and charitable duties—showing its broad scope across governance and dharma.
Victory is to be integrated with dharma: honoring gods and giving charity sanctifies royal power, while respecting local customs reduces adharma and social harm, supporting righteous rule and auspicious merit.