Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Chapter 233 — Ṣāḍguṇya (The Six Measures of Royal Policy) and Foreign Daṇḍa
आसीनः कर्मविच्छेदं शक्तः कर्तुं रिपोर्यदा अशुद्धपार्ष्णिश्चासीत विगृह्य वसुधाधिपः
āsīnaḥ karmavicchedaṃ śaktaḥ kartuṃ riporyadā aśuddhapārṣṇiścāsīta vigṛhya vasudhādhipaḥ
Khi nhà vua đang ngồi mà có thể cắt đứt, làm gián đoạn các hoạt động của kẻ thù, thì bậc chúa tể cõi đất nên ngồi trong tư thế đối kháng, với gót chân đặt không vững hoặc đặt sai chỗ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Royal posture and readiness doctrine: when the king can disrupt enemy activity even while seated (i.e., from a secure command position), he should adopt a confrontational readiness posture to signal vigilance and enable rapid response.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āsīna-vigraha: Seated posture for interrupting enemy operations","lookup_keywords":["āsīna","karmaviccheda","vigraha","aśuddha-pārṣṇi","rājadharma"],"quick_summary":"If the king can obstruct the enemy’s operations from a seated command, he should assume a confrontational seated posture with unstable/ready heels, indicating immediate preparedness for action."}
Concept: Ruler’s dharma includes constant vigilance and the capacity to check hostile action even from a position of rest.
Application: Cultivate disciplined alertness in governance; posture and visible readiness function as policy instruments.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Nīti (Kingship, statecraft, warfare conduct)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated on a low throne in council, body angled forward, heels set in a tense, ready position, facing a symbolic enemy camp map or messenger; ministers nearby, atmosphere of imminent confrontation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, seated king in royal court, forward-leaning confrontational posture with tense heels, ministers and palm-leaf documents, stylized enemy banner in background, flat perspective, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king on jeweled throne with gold leaf highlights, poised seated stance with ready heels, attendants holding flywhisks, a war-map scroll, rich textiles, halo-like arch behind the king.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional emphasis on the seated posture and heel placement, labeled court objects (throne, footrest), calm palette, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court scene with the king seated in a tense readiness posture, ministers in discussion, a messenger pointing to enemy movements on a map, delicate architecture and textiles, naturalistic faces."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: riporyadā = ripoḥ + yadā; pārṣṇiścāsīt = pārṣṇiḥ + ca + āsīt; vasudhādhipaḥ = vasudhā + adhipaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 233 (Ṣaḍguṇa/Upāya context); Agni Purana 234 (daily royal routine: vigilance)
FAQs
It teaches a tactical principle of rāja-nīti: even from a seated position, a king should adopt a readiness posture and aim to disrupt the enemy’s actions (karmaviccheda), i.e., break their momentum and plans.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana compiles applied disciplines like governance and military strategy; this verse preserves a concrete, operational instruction on posture, readiness, and counter-action against an enemy.
In rājadharma, disciplined conduct in conflict is part of rightful duty; acting with controlled readiness and strategic restraint supports dharmic rule and reduces reckless violence, aligning kingship with moral order.