Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
पुष्कर उवाच राजधर्मं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वस्मात् राजधर्मतः राजा भवेत् शत्रुहन्ता प्रजापालः सुदण्डवान्
puṣkara uvāca rājadharmaṃ pravakṣyāmi sarvasmāt rājadharmataḥ rājā bhavet śatruhantā prajāpālaḥ sudaṇḍavān
普什迦罗曰：“我将宣说王之正法（rājadharma），乃诸王职责之最上者。君王当能摧灭仇敌，护持臣民，并以正当之刑杖（daṇḍa）施行惩治。”
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Defines core executive duties: external security (enemy suppression), internal welfare (protection of subjects), and calibrated punishment (daṇḍa-nīti) for governance and law enforcement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Rājadharma—śatruhantṛ, prajā-pāla, su-daṇḍavān","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","daṇḍa","prajāpālana","śatru","nīti"],"quick_summary":"A king’s foremost duty is threefold: defeat threats, protect the people, and administer punishment proportionately and lawfully."}
Weapon Type: Bow
Concept: Daṇḍa is legitimate when aligned with protection of prajā and suppression of adharma; kingship is a duty-bearing office, not mere privilege.
Application: Design governance KPIs around security, citizen protection, and fair penal policy; train officials to apply sanctions proportionate to offense and context.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma (Governance and Statecraft)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Puṣkara, as teacher-figure, declares the essence of rājadharma: the king stands with daṇḍa (scepter/staff), with scenes of guarding subjects and repelling enemies in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king with scepter and protective gesture, subjects sheltered behind, enemies routed at edge, bold outlines, symbolic composition, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, regal king enthroned holding daṇḍa, gold-worked crown and jewelry, small vignettes: protecting villagers, defeating invaders, ornate arch and halo","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic panel with three labeled compartments: śatru-hanana, prajā-pālana, su-daṇḍa; refined linework and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court scene with king receiving reports, soldiers in distance, subjects petitioning, scepter visible, detailed costumes and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: —
Related Themes: Agni Purana: daṇḍa-nīti and rājadharma subsections (within the same khanda)
FAQs
It imparts rājadharma-vidyā (statecraft): the king’s technical duty to protect subjects, subdue enemies, and administer daṇḍa (punitive justice) correctly.
By treating governance as a formal discipline—defining core royal functions (security, welfare, justice)—it shows how the Agni Purana compiles practical knowledge alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
Upholding rājadharma through fair protection and proper punishment is presented as a righteous obligation; when performed without injustice, it supports social order (dharma) and yields merit for the ruler.