Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 26
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
पानं स्त्री मृगया द्यूतं व्यसनानि महीपतेः आलस्यं स्तब्धता दर्पः प्रमादो द्वैधकारिता
pānaṃ strī mṛgayā dyūtaṃ vyasanāni mahīpateḥ ālasyaṃ stabdhatā darpaḥ pramādo dvaidhakāritā
شراب نوشی، عورتوں کی طرف میلان، شکار اور جُوا—یہ بادشاہ کے عیوب و لتیں ہیں؛ نیز سستی، ہٹ دھرمی/جمود، غرور، غفلت اور دو رُخی بھی۔
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Personal discipline for rulers: identify and avoid addictions and character-faults that degrade judgment, security, and administration; supports leadership training and ethical governance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mahīpati-vyasana (Royal Addictions and Faults)","lookup_keywords":["pāna","strī","mṛgayā","dyūta","ālasyādayaḥ"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists classic royal vices—intoxicants, womanizing, hunting, gambling—and mental/behavioral faults like laziness, stubbornness, arrogance, negligence, and duplicity. Avoidance is framed as a prerequisite for stable rule."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Indriya-nigraha (sense-control) and removal of inner enemies (faults) as the foundation of righteous kingship.
Application: Implement personal codes: abstinence/moderation, scheduled duties, accountability companions, and transparent decision-making to counter duplicity and negligence.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Kingship, Governance, and Political Ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cautionary montage: the king tempted by wine, gambling, and sensuality; distracted in hunting; contrasted with an ideal vigilant king practicing restraint and attentive governance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left shows king amid wine cups, dice, and hunting scene; right shows composed king in council; vivid colors, symbolic moral contrast, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, moral allegory with gold-leaf highlights: vices personified around the king (wine, dice, hunt), contrasted with a radiant disciplined king; rich ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional moral chart: each vice depicted in small panels with labels (pāna, dyūta, ālasya, dviadha-kāritā), fine linework and clear sequencing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scenes of indulgence (wine party, dice game) and a separate scene of sober durbar; detailed textiles, realistic expressions, narrative contrast"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Dhanyasi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi requiring resolution beyond standard euphony; list is in nominative enumeration.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rājadharma discussions of vyasana and kingly conduct
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma-nīti: a practical governance guideline identifying specific vyasanas (ruinous addictions and character-faults) that a ruler must avoid to protect judgment, stability, and public order.
Alongside ritual, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves statecraft: it catalogues political-ethical hazards (vyasana) and thus functions as a compendium of rulership norms comparable to nīti/artha traditions.
For a king, these vices are portrayed as adharma-generating causes that cloud discernment and lead to harmful actions; avoiding them supports dharma, reduces sinful fallout, and strengthens righteous rule.