Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 18
Chapter 13 — कुरुपाण्डवोत्पत्त्यादिकथनं
Narration of the Origin of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, and Related Matters
जिता दिशः पाण्डवैश् च राज्यञ्चक्रे युधिष्ठिरः बहुस्वर्णं राजसूयं न सेहे तं सुयोधनः
jitā diśaḥ pāṇḍavaiś ca rājyañcakre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ bahusvarṇaṃ rājasūyaṃ na sehe taṃ suyodhanaḥ
Khi các phương (bốn hướng) đã bị các Pāṇḍava chinh phục, Yudhiṣṭhira thiết lập vương quyền; nhưng Suyodhana (Duryodhana) không thể chịu nổi lễ tế Rājasūya ấy, vốn giàu có với vô số vàng.
Lord Agni (narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha (frame narration of Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Frames imperial consolidation (digvijaya) and the Rājasūya as instruments of sovereignty, while highlighting envy-driven political instability as a predictable risk factor.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Digvijaya and Rājasūya as markers of cakravartin-style sovereignty","lookup_keywords":["digvijaya","Rājasūya","Yudhiṣṭhira","bahu-svarṇa","Suyodhana"],"quick_summary":"After conquest of the quarters, the king establishes sovereignty and performs Rājasūya with abundant tribute; rivals may react with intolerance—requiring political foresight."}
Concept: Rājadharma: sovereignty is ritually and politically established; unchecked envy (asūyā) destabilizes dharmic order.
Application: Statecraft should pair legitimate rites/alliances with risk management against resentful rivals.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana-Sangraha (Mahabharata narrative; Rajadharma and royal consecration context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yudhiṣṭhira enthroned after conquests, Rājasūya underway with heaps of gold and tribute; Duryodhana watches with visible resentment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court with yajña-vedi, priests, golden tribute piles, Yudhiṣṭhira serene, Duryodhana at side with tense posture, rich reds and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold foil emphasizing heaps of gold and royal ornaments, Yudhiṣṭhira with halo-like aura of dharma, sacrificial altar, Duryodhana shadowed expression","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, orderly depiction of Rājasūya procedure: altar, priests, offerings, king’s seat; narrative inset of Duryodhana’s envy; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, durbar scene with detailed textiles and attendants, ritual fire altar, tribute bearers from four directions, Duryodhana observing from a corner, subtle facial emotion"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राज्यञ्चक्रे = राज्यम् + चक्रे; पाण्डवैश् च = पाण्डवैः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 13.19
FAQs
It highlights the Rājasūya—an imperial royal consecration sacrifice signaling universal sovereignty (samrāṭ-status), here described as lavish with gold (bahu-svarṇa), emphasizing the ritual’s public-political function.
By compressing Mahābhārata political history into a Purāṇic digest, it links narrative (itihāsa) with statecraft (rājya/sovereignty) and Vedic ritual (Rājasūya), showing how governance and yajña operate together in Purāṇic knowledge systems.
The verse contrasts dhārmic kingship validated through yajña with the karmic danger of envy—Suyodhana’s inability to ‘endure’ another’s righteous prosperity foreshadows conflict born from adharma (jealousy and rivalry).