Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 33
Rāja-dharma (राजधर्माः) — Protection of the Heir, Discipline, Counsel, and the Seven Limbs of the State
सर्वं कर्मेदमायत्तं विधाने दैवपौरुषे तयोर्दैवमचिन्त्यं हि पौरुषे विद्यते क्रिया
sarvaṃ karmedamāyattaṃ vidhāne daivapauruṣe tayordaivamacintyaṃ hi pauruṣe vidyate kriyā
Mọi hành động ở đời đều nương vào pháp tắc đã định, gồm thiên mệnh (daiva) và nỗ lực của con người (pauruṣa). Trong hai điều ấy, thiên mệnh thật khó lường; còn nơi nỗ lực của người, có hành vi chủ ý và dụng công.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Decision-making and ethics: recognize what is controllable (effort) versus uncontrollable (daiva), and focus governance and personal conduct on deliberate, accountable action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Daiva–Pauruṣa: Destiny and Human Effort in Karma","lookup_keywords":["daiva","pauruṣa","karma","acintya","kriyā"],"quick_summary":"Action in the world is conditioned by both destiny and human effort; destiny is unknowable in its workings, while effort is the domain of intentional action. Practically, one should act diligently without paralysis about the unseen."}
Concept: Daiva is acintya (inscrutable), but pauruṣa contains kriyā (intentional action); therefore responsibility and effort remain meaningful.
Application: Cultivate steady effort (udyama) while accepting uncertainty; in rulership, build policy on actionable causes rather than omens alone.
Khanda Section: Karma–Daiva–Pauruṣa (Fate and Human Effort; Rajadharma / Nīti-style Instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vicitra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic courtly scene: a sage instructs a king about two forces—daiva (unseen destiny) and pauruṣa (visible effort)—shown as symbolic scales balancing a scroll of fate and a worker’s tools.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vivid colors, sage and king seated in a mandapa, symbolic balance scale with ‘daiva’ as a veiled cosmic wheel and ‘pauruṣa’ as a hand holding tools, ornate floral borders, traditional jewelry and crowns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central enthroned king listening to a rishi, gold-leaf halo effects, embossed ornaments, a small golden scale motif showing fate-wheel and effort-hand, rich reds and greens, temple-pillared backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional tableau with labeled symbols (daiva/pauruṣa), calm faces, palace interior with manuscripts, restrained gold highlights","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court scene with a philosopher-sage advising the ruler, fine textiles, a symbolic scale and astrological chart in the corner to represent inscrutable destiny, naturalistic architecture and attendants"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्मेदमायत्तम् = कर्म + इदम् + आयत्तम्; तयोर्दैवम् = तयोः + दैवम्; दैवमचिन्त्यम् = दैवम् + अचिन्त्यम्; दैवपौरुषे = दैव + पौरुष (द्वन्द्व), सप्तमी एकवचन।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 224 (Rajadharma: daiva–pauruṣa discussion); Agni Purana 225.1–3 (karma from prior births; joint causality)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-style practical wisdom: outcomes involve both destiny (daiva) and human agency (pauruṣa), but actionable practice lies in pauruṣa—one should focus on deliberate effort rather than trying to compute fate.
Beyond rituals and mythology, the Agni Purana also preserves ethical and governance-oriented instruction. This verse exemplifies its inclusion of philosophical nīti—categorizing causality into destiny and human effort—useful for decision-making in dharma and statecraft.
Spiritually, it directs a seeker toward responsible action: destiny is unknowable, but righteous effort is within one’s control, shaping karma and supporting dharmic living.