Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4

Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)

Devanagari script

शास्त्रं प्रज्ञा धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं प्रागल्भ्यं धारयिष्णुता उत्साहो वाग्मितौदार्यमापत्कालसहिष्णुता

Transliteration

śāstraṃ prajñā dhṛtirdākṣyaṃ prāgalbhyaṃ dhārayiṣṇutā utsāho vāgmitaudāryamāpatkālasahiṣṇutā

Translation

Kaalaman sa śāstra at sa patakarang pamahalaan, talinong praktikal, katatagan, kahusayan, matapang na pagkukusa, pagtitiyaga, masiglang pagsisikap, kahusayan sa pananalita, pagkabukas-palad, at pagtitiis sa oras ng kapahamakan—ito ang mga kinakailangang katangian.

Word by Word

• śāstram: scripture / treatise
• śāstram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāstra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• prajñā: wisdom
• prajñā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhṛtiḥ: steadfastness
• dhṛtiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• dākṣyam: skill / competence
• dākṣyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dākṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• prāgalbhyam: boldness / confidence
• prāgalbhyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāgalbhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhārayiṣṇutā: capacity to sustain / endurance
• dhārayiṣṇutā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhṛ (धातु) + ayiṣṇu (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय) + tā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); possessive abstract from desiderative/agentive ‘dhārayiṣṇu’ = ‘one who can bear/maintain’

• utsāhaḥ: enthusiasm
• utsāhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: utsāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vāgmitā: eloquence
• vāgmitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāgmin (प्रातिपदिक) + tā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); abstract noun ‘eloquence’

• audāryam: generosity / nobility
• audāryam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: audārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• āpatkālasahiṣṇutā: forbearance in times of calamity
• āpatkālasahiṣṇutā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āpat (प्रातिपदिक) + kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + sahiṣṇu (कृदन्त, √sah) + tā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa ‘āpat-kāla’ (time of calamity) + ‘sahiṣṇutā’ (forbearance/endurance)

Speaker

Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instruction to Vasiṣṭha on niti/rajadharma)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: Vīra

Secondary Rasa: Śānta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāgmitaudāryamāpatkālasahiṣṇutā resolved as vāgmitā + audāryam + āpatkāla-sahiṣṇutā.

FAQs

What technical or practical knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It lists core competencies of niti (statecraft): mastery of authoritative shastras, administrative skill, persuasive speech, and the resilience needed to govern effectively—especially under pressure.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also functions as a manual of applied knowledge; here it codifies leadership and governance virtues, showing its coverage of rajadharma and practical ethics.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Cultivating these virtues supports dharma-based rule: it restrains harmful action, promotes welfare and generosity, and builds steadiness in adversity—qualities praised as dharmic conduct with beneficial karmic outcomes.