Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 24
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तित्वं प्रजानां परिपालनं दानानि ब्राह्मणानाञ्च राज्ञो निःश्रेयसम्परं
saṅgrāmeṣvanivartitvaṃ prajānāṃ paripālanaṃ dānāni brāhmaṇānāñca rājño niḥśreyasamparaṃ
جنگوں میں پیٹھ نہ دکھا کر ثابت قدم رہنا، رعایا کی نگہداشت و حفاظت اور درست حکمرانی، اور خصوصاً برہمنوں کو دان دینا—یہی بادشاہ کے لیے پرم نِشریَس (حتمی فلاح) کا اعلیٰ ذریعہ ہے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of Agni Purana, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal code: courage in war, protection/administration of subjects, and strategic charity to Brahmins as a legitimizing and merit-generating pillar of kingship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rājñaḥ Niḥśreyasa-sādhana (King’s Means to Supreme Good)","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","saṅgrāma","praja-pālana","brāhmaṇa-dāna","niḥśreyasa"],"quick_summary":"A king’s highest welfare is linked to three duties: steadfastness in battle, protection of subjects, and dāna—especially to Brahmins—uniting political stability with dharmic merit."}
Concept: Niḥśreyasa (ultimate good) is approached through integrated rājadharma: śaurya (valor), pālana (welfare governance), and dāna (merit/legitimacy).
Application: Balance defense readiness with welfare administration; institutionalize charitable endowments and learned counsel to stabilize rule.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Duties of a King)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in armor stands firm on a battlefield while, in parallel, he is shown protecting subjects in a court scene and offering gifts to Brahmins—triptych-like depiction of rājadharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic king with stylized armor and banner, adjacent panel of king dispensing justice and alms to brāhmaṇas, bold outlines, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal king with gold-embossed crown and ornaments, battlefield elements subdued, prominent dāna scene with gilded vessels and palm-leaf manuscripts near Brahmins","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative sequencing: (1) battle steadfastness, (2) prajā-pālana in court, (3) brāhmaṇa-dāna; fine lines, soft colors, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court and camp scenes, king on elephant or horse, soldiers in formation, Brahmins receiving gifts, architectural depth and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: saṅgrāmeṣu anivartitvam → saṅgrāmeṣv anivartitvam; brāhmaṇānām ca → brāhmaṇānāñ ca; niḥśreyasam param written as niḥśreyasamparaṃ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma/nīti passages on daṇḍa, prajā-rakṣaṇa, and kingly virtues; Agni Purana dhanurveda-related sections emphasizing discipline and courage
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma as a practical statecraft-vidyā: a king must not retreat in battle, must protect and administer the people, and must uphold dāna (charitable giving), especially to Brahmins, as a pillar of righteous rule.
Alongside ritual and theological material, the Agni Purana catalogues governance norms (political ethics, wartime conduct, public welfare, and patronage). This verse is a compact rule of royal conduct, showing the text’s wide coverage beyond purely devotional topics.
By combining courage (dharma in battle), prajā-pālana (protective duty), and dāna (merit-producing generosity), the king accumulates righteous merit and aligns rulership with niḥśreyasa—ultimate welfare and spiritually elevating outcomes.