Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
परार्थं स्त्रीनिमित्तञ्च दीर्घकालं द्विजैः सह अकालदैवयुक्तेन बलोद्धतसखेन च
parārthaṃ strīnimittañca dīrghakālaṃ dvijaiḥ saha akāladaivayuktena baloddhatasakhena ca
Para sa kapakinabangan ng iba, at dahil sa kababaihan bilang sanhi (ng pagkakasangkot), sa mahabang panahon—napapaloob ang tao sa pakikisama sa mga dvija (Brahmin); at gayundin sa pakikipagkaibigan sa kaibigang nalalasing sa lakas at itinutulak ng kapalarang hindi napapanahon.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing the sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Political risk management: recognize common entanglement-causes—acting for others’ benefit, woman-related scandals, prolonged dependence on priestly factions, and reckless allies driven by hubris or ill-timed fate—and avoid them.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Causes of Political Entanglement/Downfall: Parārtha, Strī-nimitta, Factional Dependence, Reckless Ally","lookup_keywords":["parārtha","strī-nimitta","dvijaiḥ saha","baloddhata-sakha","akāla-daiva"],"quick_summary":"A ruler can be trapped by serving others’ interests, by woman-related entanglements, by long factional association with influential Brahmins, or by a strong but reckless friend under adverse timing. The counsel is to keep alliances and personal conduct disciplined."}
Concept: Svārtha-rakṣa with maryādā: protect rightful self-interest, maintain ethical boundaries, and choose associations wisely under kāla (timing).
Application: Set court protocols: conflict-of-interest checks (parārtha), strict conduct rules to prevent scandals (strī-nimitta), balanced patronage to avoid capture by factions, and ally vetting for impulsiveness.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Conduct, alliances, and causes of political downfall)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four cautionary tableaux around a central king: (1) the king signing a decree benefiting another, (2) a palace intrigue involving a woman, (3) a cluster of Brahmins influencing policy over years, (4) a boastful strong ally dragging the king toward ill-timed war under ominous astrological signs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with central king and four surrounding narrative panels, stylized figures and bold outlines, symbolic motifs for parārtha, strī-nimitta, dvija-faction, baloddhata ally, subdued warning tone","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore composition with central monarch in gold, four corner vignettes illustrating the four pitfalls, ornate borders, embossed gold for royal regalia, dramatic but moralizing scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with labeled panels like a nīti lesson chart, fine linework, gentle colors, clear depiction of court factions and reckless ally, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with multiple registers, court intrigue and alliance scene, detailed costumes and architecture, a dark cloud motif for akāla-daiva, refined narrative sequencing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्त्रीनिमित्तञ्च = स्त्रीनिमित्तम् + च; अकालदैवयुक्तेन = अकाल-दैव-युक्तेन; बलोद्धतसखेन = बल + उद्धत + सखेन (internal sandhi: बल+उद्धत→बलोद्धत).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma on choosing ministers and friends (mitra-parīkṣā); Agni Purana Nīti on kāla (timing) and daiva vs puruṣakāra
FAQs
It imparts Niti-vidya (statecraft/ethics): avoid entangling motivations (acting for others’ agendas), avoid relationship-based vulnerabilities, and beware alliances with reckless, fate-driven companions.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance guidance (rajadharma/niti), including risk assessment in friendships and social associations—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
It cautions that attachment-driven choices and misguided companionship become causes of prolonged bondage and misfortune; disciplined associations support dharma and reduce karmic entanglement.