Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
कामः क्रोधस् तथा लोभो हर्षो मानो मदस् तथा षड्वर्गमुत्सृजेदेनमस्मिंस्त्यक्ते सुखी नृपः
kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobho harṣo māno madas tathā ṣaḍvargamutsṛjedenamasmiṃstyakte sukhī nṛpaḥ
خواہش، غضب، حرص، سرشاری، غرور اور نشہ—ان چھ باطنی دشمنوں کو ترک کرنا چاہیے۔ جب یہ چھوڑ دیے جائیں تو بادشاہ خوش اور حکومت میں ثابت قدم ہوتا ہے۔
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in royal policy and ethics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Royal self-governance: identify and abandon the six inner enemies to stabilize judgment, prevent tyranny, and sustain effective rule.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṣaḍvarga-tyāga (Abandoning the Six Inner Foes)","lookup_keywords":["ṣaḍvarga","kāma","krodha","lobha","māna","mada"],"quick_summary":"A king’s happiness and stability depend on renouncing six destabilizers—desire, anger, greed, exhilaration, pride, and intoxication. The verse functions as a governance checklist for inner discipline."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (enumeration) with didactic brevity
Concept: Rulership is first an inner conquest: victory over ṣaḍvarga yields sukha and stable governance.
Application: Before major decisions, audit for the six biases (kāma/krodha/lobha/harṣa/māna/mada); delay action until the impulse subsides and counsel is heard.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Governance and royal ethics)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated in judgment with six shadowy figures or masks labeled kāma, krodha, lobha, harṣa, māna, mada being cast out of the court; the king holds a staff of discipline, with a calm aura indicating happiness after renunciation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court with stylized demon-like personifications of six vices pushed away by attendants of dharma, king serene and centered, bold outlines and warm palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, enthroned king with golden arch and halo, six small dark figures at the base being expelled, gold leaf emphasizing the king’s steadiness and the daṇḍa (scepter).","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: six labeled vices arranged around the king, arrows pointing outward to indicate rejection, fine linework and soft gold accents.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate durbar scene with expressive faces; the king turns away from six temptations depicted as courtiers offering wine, riches, flattery, and provocations; detailed textiles and architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षड्वर्गमुत्सृजेदेनमस्मिंस्त्यक्ते = षड्वर्गम् + उत्सृजेत् + एनम् + अस्मिन् + त्यक्ते; क्रोधस् = क्रोधः (विसर्ग-लोपः पदान्ते)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on kingly doṣas and virtues (same 237 cluster)
FAQs
It teaches nīti-vidyā (statecraft ethics): a ruler must renounce the ṣaḍvarga—desire, anger, greed, exhilaration, pride, and intoxication—because these destabilize judgment and governance.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical civil knowledge—rajadharma and political psychology—showing it functions as a compendium for ruling conduct, administration, and moral restraint.
Abandoning the ṣaḍvarga purifies intention and reduces harmful actions driven by passion and ego, supporting dharmic rule and generating merit through just, restrained leadership.