Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
राज्यस्त्रीस्थानदेशानां ज्ञानस्य च बलस्य च अपहारी मदो मानः पीडा वैषयिकी तथा
rājyastrīsthānadeśānāṃ jñānasya ca balasya ca apahārī mado mānaḥ pīḍā vaiṣayikī tathā
مستی (مد) اور غرور (مان) بادشاہت، عورتوں کے تعلقات، مقام و سرزمین، نیز علم اور قوت—سب کے لٹیرے ہیں؛ اور اسی طرح حواس کے موضوعات سے پیدا ہونے والی اذیت بھی ہے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical governance training: identify and restrain vices (intoxication, pride, sense-indulgence) that erode authority, relationships, territory, knowledge, and strength.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mada–Māna as Robbers of Royal Prosperity","lookup_keywords":["mada","mana","rajya","vishaya","niti"],"quick_summary":"Intoxication and pride steal away kingship, relationships, territory, learning, and power; sense-object indulgence brings torment. The practical takeaway is disciplined self-control as a pillar of rule."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Inner enemies (mada, māna, viṣaya-āsakti) cause outer loss; self-mastery safeguards dharma and power.
Application: For leaders: institute personal vows (niyama), counsel, and accountability to prevent intoxication, arrogance, and indulgence from corrupting judgment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Ethics, and the Vices that Undermine Rule)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king tempted by wine and flattery loses grip on scepter and scrolls; shadowy figures labeled mada and māna snatch symbols of territory, knowledge, and strength; viṣaya appears as alluring objects causing distress.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural allegory: king with crown and scepter, personified Mada and Māna as dark attendants stealing regalia and palm-leaf manuscripts, stylized sense-objects around, strong outlines, symbolic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore allegorical painting with gold, king on throne, two demon-like figures (Mada, Māna) pulling away crown and sword, glittering sense-objects at base, ornate gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style moral illustration, refined faces, subtle shading: king turning away from wine cup, counselor presenting a niti text, background shows losses averted, delicate linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature moral scene: courtly banquet with wine, king’s distracted gaze, minister admonishing, symbolic items (map, book, mace) slipping away, detailed textiles and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राज्यस्त्रीस्थानदेशानां = राज्य + स्त्री + स्थान + देशानाम् (द्वन्द्व-समास); अन्यत्र सन्धिः साधारणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (vices undermining rule); Agni Purana ethical sections on self-control and conduct
FAQs
It imparts rajadharma-vidyā: a practical governance teaching that leaders must restrain intoxication and pride, since these vices erode authority, judgment, and capability, and lead to suffering driven by sense-pleasures.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves political-ethical psychology: it analyzes inner causes (mada, māna, viṣaya) that destabilize rule, linking personal discipline to state stability—an encyclopedic blend of ethics and governance.
By warning that sense-driven pride and intoxication “steal” one’s virtues and station, the verse frames self-mastery as a protector of dharma; indulgence in viṣaya leads to pīḍā (karmic suffering) and loss of merit and authority.