Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 33
Mantras for the Parasol and Other Royal/Worship Emblems (छत्रादिमन्त्रादयः)
राजानं रक्ष निस्त्रिंश सबलं सपुरन्तथा पिता पितामहो देवः स त्वं पालय सर्वदा
rājānaṃ rakṣa nistriṃśa sabalaṃ sapurantathā pitā pitāmaho devaḥ sa tvaṃ pālaya sarvadā
اے نِسترِمش (کھڑگ)، بادشاہ کی حفاظت کر؛ لشکر اور شہر کی بھی حفاظت کر۔ جو دیوتا باپ اور دادا کے مانند ہے، تو ہمیشہ نگہبانی کر۔
Lord Agni (narrating the protective/royal-security instruction within Rajadharma)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"State-protection prayer integrated into governance: safeguarding king, army, and fortified city through weapon-deity invocation; used in royal rites and before campaigns.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rājya-rakṣā Invocation to Nistriṁśa (Sword)","lookup_keywords":["rājā-rakṣā","nistriṁśa","sena","pura","pālana"],"quick_summary":"Frames the sword as a divine guardian tasked with protecting the ruler, forces, and city—linking political stability to ritualized protection and readiness."}
Alamkara Type: Ājñā/Prārthanā (imperative prayer) with familial metaphor (pitā–pitāmaha)
Weapon Type: Sword (nistriṁśa)
Concept: Rājadharma as protection (rakṣaṇa) of people and polity; divine guardianship is invoked to sustain order across generations (father/grandfather metaphor).
Application: In governance rituals: recite before council, before marching, and at city-gates/armory; pair with practical measures (discipline, fortification, logistics).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Protection of the Realm)
Primary Rasa: Vīra
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king in the capital with army assembled and city walls behind; a radiant sword-symbol above or before him as a guardian presence, signifying protection of ruler, troops, and fort.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fortified city backdrop, king with attendants, army ranks, hovering nistriṁśa with fiery halo, bold lines and ritual solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, enthroned king with gold-foil regalia, stylized city gate, sword-deity emblem with gold halo, symmetrical royal iconography.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative: king, soldiers, city ramparts; sword held upright as protective standard; labeled elements (rājā, bala, pura).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar scene with troops and city architecture, a symbolic sword standard, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"martial-solemn","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sapurantathā = sa-puram tathā (compound + indeclinable); sabalam, sapuram are tatpuruṣa compounds with saha-meaning; sentence has imperatives rakṣa, pālaya; pitā/pitāmaha/deva are predicate/appositional epithets.
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma sections (general governance duties); Agni Purana dhanurveda/āyudha-stuti passages around 268
FAQs
It conveys a protective injunction centered on royal security—guarding the king, the armed forces, and the fortified city—using the sword (nistriṁśa) as the emblem/instrument of protection (a typical Rajadharma–security formulation, sometimes aligned with protective invocation language).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles practical statecraft: this verse reflects governance concerns—security of leadership, military strength, and urban/fort defense—showing the text’s coverage of administrative and strategic priorities alongside ritual and doctrine.
Protecting the king and realm is framed as dharmic preservation: safeguarding social order (rājya-dharma) sustains stability, reduces harm, and supports the conditions for religious practice and prosperity, thereby accruing merit through the maintenance of righteous order.