Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 13
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
वाग्मी प्रगल्भश् चक्षुष्मानुत्साही प्रतिपत्तिमान् स्तम्भचापलहीनश् च मैत्रः क्लेशसहः शुचिः
vāgmī pragalbhaś cakṣuṣmānutsāhī pratipattimān stambhacāpalahīnaś ca maitraḥ kleśasahaḥ śuciḥ
Người ấy phải hùng biện và tự tin, có tầm nhìn sáng suốt, tinh tấn và có năng lực phán đoán; không kiêu mạn, không thất thường; thân thiện, chịu đựng gian khổ và thanh khiết trong hạnh kiểm.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Behavioral and psychological profile for an ideal counsellor: communication, judgment, emotional regulation, resilience, and ethical cleanliness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mantrin-guṇa (Eloquence, Judgment, and Conduct)","lookup_keywords":["vāgmī","pragalbha","cākṣuṣmān","utsāha","śuci"],"quick_summary":"An ideal minister combines eloquence and confidence with clear perception, energy, stable temperament, friendliness, endurance, and purity of conduct."}
Concept: Effective counsel requires mastery of speech and perception, plus humility, steadiness, and moral purity.
Application: Use as a competency checklist in governance: assess communication skill, decision quality, temperament stability (no arrogance/fickleness), teamwork (maitra), and stress tolerance (kleśa-saha).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Qualities of an ideal minister or counsellor)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A minister addresses the court with poised speech; his eyes are depicted as sharp and attentive; he remains calm amid petitions and disputes, showing friendliness and endurance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: minister in dignified stance speaking before king, expressive eyes, restrained gestures, attendants and petitioners, warm ochres and reds, stylized faces and ornaments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: eloquent minister with raised hand in counsel, gold-highlighted court arch, rich textiles, serene facial expression indicating śuci and steadiness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic portrait series of ministerial virtues—speech, vision, energy, humility—shown as small vignettes around central counsellor figure, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court debate scene with subtle facial expressions, minister calm among animated courtiers, detailed costumes, manuscripts, and architectural niches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pragalbhaś cakṣuṣmānutsāhī → pragalbhaḥ cakṣuṣmān utsāhī (visarga before c; word boundary restored).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238.12; Agni Purana 238.14; Agni Purana 238.15
FAQs
Nīti-vidyā (statecraft): it lists operational qualities required in a capable minister/counsellor—eloquence, discernment, energy, steady judgment, emotional steadiness, friendliness, endurance, and integrity.
Alongside rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical governance manuals (rājadharma/nīti), including human-resource criteria for selecting state officials—showing its multi-disciplinary scope.
Purity (śuci) and freedom from arrogance and fickleness are ethical restraints that support dharmic administration; such conduct reduces harm, promotes justice, and accrues merit through righteous service.