Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
विनीतत्वं धार्मिकता साधोश् च नृपतेर्गुणाः प्रख्यातवंशमक्रूरं लोकसङ्ग्राहिणं शुचिं
vinītatvaṃ dhārmikatā sādhoś ca nṛpaterguṇāḥ prakhyātavaṃśamakrūraṃ lokasaṅgrāhiṇaṃ śuciṃ
Ang pagkamapagpakumbaba, ang pagiging makatarungan ayon sa dharma, at ang asal na tulad ng banal na sadhu—ito ang mga katangian ng isang hari; (siya’y) mula sa bantog na angkan, hindi malupit, tagapagbuklod na nag-iingat sa pagkakaisa ng bayan, at malinis.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Kingship ethics: cultivate humility, dharma, and sādhutā; avoid cruelty; unify society (loka-saṅgraha) through fair rule and personal purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Rāja-guṇas: humility, dharma, non-cruelty, and loka-saṅgraha","lookup_keywords":["vinita","dharmika","sadhu","akroora","loka-sangrahin"],"quick_summary":"A king’s legitimacy rests on humble discipline, righteousness, saintly restraint, non-cruel governance, social cohesion, and personal purity supported by reputable lineage."}
Concept: Loka-saṅgraha (holding society together) as a dharmic aim of rulership; power must be tempered by vinaya and ahiṃsā-like non-cruelty.
Application: Administration: reduce punitive excess, ensure fair hearings, protect vulnerable groups, and model humility; public policy aimed at cohesion (conflict mediation, equitable taxation, relief in calamities).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Kingship, ethics, and governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble king bows slightly to sages, listens to petitions, restrains punishment, and brings disputing groups into harmony; his court is orderly and clean, symbolizing purity and non-cruel authority.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with folded hands before sages, petitioners in rows, a restrained guard lowering a weapon, harmonious groups reconciled; bold palette and temple-mural symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with gold crown yet humble posture, sages with halos, gold-embossed court details, scene of reconciliation and benevolent rule","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic kingship scene: humility before sages, fair judgment, social cohesion; fine lines, soft colors, clear narrative sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court of justice with king listening, scribes recording, disputants reconciled, minimal violence; detailed textiles and architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sādhoś ca = sādhoḥ + ca (visarga before c → ś); nṛpaterguṇāḥ = nṛpateḥ + guṇāḥ (visarga before g → r). prakhyātavaṃśamakrūraṃ = prakhyāta-vaṃśam + akrūram (m + a → ma).
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma on daṇḍa with restraint, prajā-rañjana, and śauca
FAQs
This verse imparts Rajadharma (statecraft ethics): the operational qualities required of a ruler—humility, dharmic governance, non-cruelty, social cohesion (loka-saṅgraha), and personal purity.
By codifying kingly virtues, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into practical governance and moral-political theory, alongside its many other domains (ritual, law, arts, and sciences).
A king who rules with dharma, purity, and non-cruelty protects social order and reduces harm, generating merit (puṇya) for himself and stability for the realm—supporting both worldly welfare and righteous karma.