Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
बहुभिर्मन्त्रयेत् कामं राजा मन्त्रान् पृथक् पृथक् मन्त्रिणामपि नो कुर्यान् मन्त्री मन्त्रप्रकाशनं
bahubhirmantrayet kāmaṃ rājā mantrān pṛthak pṛthak mantriṇāmapi no kuryān mantrī mantraprakāśanaṃ
Nhà vua có thể, tùy ý mình, bàn định các chính sách với nhiều bề tôi, nhưng phải xét từng việc riêng rẽ. Còn bề tôi thì, ngay cả giữa các bề tôi với nhau, cũng không được tiết lộ mưu nghị (mantra) của vua.
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma, addressed to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Operational security: consult multiple advisers separately (compartmentalization); enforce non-disclosure by ministers to prevent policy leaks.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Compartmentalized consultation and ministerial non-disclosure","lookup_keywords":["pṛthak pṛthak mantra","minister secrecy","compartmentalization","raja policy","mantri dharma"],"quick_summary":"A king may consult many advisers, but separately by topic; ministers must not reveal the king’s counsel even among themselves, preserving state security."}
Concept: Svadharma of ministers: loyalty and restraint in speech; king’s method: viveka through separate hearings.
Application: Implement need-to-know rules; separate briefings; formal oaths and penalties for disclosure; maintain written records with restricted access.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, counsel, statecraft)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king meets different ministers in separate alcoves, each receiving a distinct topic scroll; another scene shows ministers refusing to share details with each other.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace corridors with separate chambers, king consulting advisers one-by-one, each holding palm-leaf bundles, strong narrative panels, emphasis on closed doors and guarded entry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore gold-work, triptych-like composition: king in center, two side panels of separate consultations, ornate pillars, symbolic locks and seals rendered in gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional layout: three small meetings labeled as separate matters, ministers with restrained gestures (hand over mouth), neat manuscript bundles","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, sequential vignettes in one page: king in different rooms with different advisers, fine architectural detail, attendants and guards indicating controlled access"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Raga Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बहुभिर्मन्त्रयेत् = बहुभिः + मन्त्रयेत्; मन्त्रिणामपि = मन्त्रिणाम् + अपि; नो = नः (negative particle); मन्त्रप्रकाशनं = मन्त्र-प्रकाशनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (ministerial conduct; counsel secrecy)
FAQs
It teaches rāja-nīti (statecraft) procedure: consult widely if needed, treat each policy separately, and enforce strict confidentiality—ministers must not leak deliberations.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana preserves administrative and ethical rules of governance (rajadharma), including counsel-management and secrecy—core components of classical Indian political science.
Upholding truthfulness and trust in one’s duty (dharma) supports social order; violating counsel-secrecy is treated as adharma that harms the realm and accrues negative karma through betrayal and disorder.