Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 40
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
परस्थानगमं क्रौर्यमौद्धत्यं मत्सरन्त्यजेत् विगृह्य कथनं भृत्यो न कुर्याज् ज्यायसा सह
parasthānagamaṃ krauryamauddhatyaṃ matsarantyajet vigṛhya kathanaṃ bhṛtyo na kuryāj jyāyasā saha
Hãy tránh việc đến chỗ của người khác (khi không có cớ), sự tàn bạo, kiêu mạn và lòng ganh tị. Kẻ bề tôi không nên, sau khi cãi vã, nói lời gây tranh chấp với bậc trên.
Lord Agni (in instruction on rajadharma/niti)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Professional restraint and conflict etiquette: avoid meddling, cruelty, arrogance, envy; do not use contentious speech toward superiors after disputes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"सेवक-दोष-त्याग (Vices to be avoided by a servant)","lookup_keywords":["परस्थानगमन","क्रौर्य","औद्धत्य","मत्सर","विगृह्यकथन"],"quick_summary":"A servant should avoid meddlesome roaming, cruelty, arrogance, and envy, and must not speak quarrelsome words to superiors—especially after conflict."}
Concept: वाक्-निग्रह and अहिंसा/अद्रोह as social dharma within hierarchy; avoidance of दोष that corrode trust.
Application: In organizations: avoid gossip/meddling, harshness, ego, jealousy; practice de-escalation and respectful speech after disagreements.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Conduct for servants and social ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A servant turns away from tempting side-paths to others’ houses, rejects symbols of cruelty and envy, and bows silently before an elder after a dispute, keeping speech restrained.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, moral allegory: four shadowy figures labeled क्रौर्य, औद्धत्य, मत्सर, परस्थानगमन trying to pull a servant; he stands composed before a dignified elder; strong outlines, symbolic demons, temple-mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central servant with folded hands before a superior; surrounding circular medallions show vices being cast away; gold embossing on medallions and throne-like seat of the elder.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic scene with clear gestures: servant stopping himself from entering another’s doorway; then calming down after quarrel; captions for each दोष; soft colors and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court corridor; servant restrains angry speech after disagreement with a senior officer; subtle facial expressions; background shows avoided temptations—gossiping groups and side visits."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: krauryamauddhatyam = krauryam + auddhatyam. matsarantyajet = matsaram + tyajet (m+t sandhi). kuryāj jyāyasā = kuryāt + jyāyasā (t+j → jj).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 238 (sevaka-niyama; speech and conduct restraints)
FAQs
It teaches bhritya-niti: practical workplace/service discipline—avoid needless social roaming, cruelty, arrogance, envy, and do not engage in quarrelsome speech with superiors.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves governance and social-ethical manuals (rajadharma/niti), including codes for servants and hierarchical communication.
Restraint from cruelty, envy, and insolent speech reduces harmful karma and supports dharmic harmony, cultivating humility and self-control in service relationships.