Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 49
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
अमात्यः प्राड्विवाको वा यः कुर्यात् कार्यमन्यथा तस्य सर्वस्वमादाय तं राजा विप्रवासयेत्
amātyaḥ prāḍvivāko vā yaḥ kuryāt kāryamanyathā tasya sarvasvamādāya taṃ rājā vipravāsayet
اگر وزیر یا قاضیِ اعظم کسی معاملے کو الٹے (ناجائز) طریقے سے چلائے تو بادشاہ اس کا سارا مال ضبط کر کے اسے مملکت سے جلاوطن کر دے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Judicial integrity: punish ministers/judges who pervert legal procedure; confiscate assets and banish to prevent miscarriage of justice.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Penalty for perverting a case by minister or chief judge","lookup_keywords":["pradvivaka","amatya","judicial misconduct","banishment","confiscation"],"quick_summary":"A minister or chief judge who handles a matter improperly is to have all property confiscated and be expelled from the kingdom, safeguarding trust in adjudication."}
Concept: Nyāya (proper adjudication) is a pillar of rājadharma; perversion of justice is a grave breach of trust.
Application: Institutionalize audits of judgments, conflict-of-interest rules, and exemplary penalties for judicial corruption.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Legal Procedure)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: dharmic-shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A chief judge twists a case; the king orders confiscation of his estate and sends him into exile beyond the city gates.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: courtroom with palm-leaf documents, king’s decisive gesture, disgraced judge with lowered head, guards escorting him, bold outlines and saturated colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: king with golden halo-like arch, confiscated jewels and coins displayed, judge’s insignia removed, heavy gold work on ornaments and throne","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: procedural scene with scribes, seals, and written verdict; king pronounces exile; refined linework and gentle palette emphasizing governance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar, accountants inventorying property, exile procession at palace gate, architectural perspective and fine textile patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कार्यमन्यथा = कार्यम् + अन्यथा (म् + अ → म). सर्वस्वमादाय = सर्वस्वम् + आदाय (म् + आ → मा).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Rajadharma legal procedure and penalties)
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma (statecraft/legal procedure): the prescribed legal penalty for a minister or chief judge who mishandles a case—confiscation of property followed by banishment.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also codifies practical governance—judicial accountability, administrative ethics, and punitive measures—showing its wide scope across law and polity.
By punishing unjust adjudication, the king preserves dharma and prevents the karmic fallout of adharma spreading through the kingdom; just governance is treated as a religious duty that sustains cosmic and social order.