Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
द्वीपिजं सिंहजं व्याघ्रजातञ्चर्म तदासने अमात्यसचिवादींश् च प्रतीहारः प्रदर्शयेत्
dvīpijaṃ siṃhajaṃ vyāghrajātañcarma tadāsane amātyasacivādīṃś ca pratīhāraḥ pradarśayet
在那座位（王座座席）上，应铺设豹皮、狮皮或虎皮；而门卫（pratīhāra）应引见诸大臣、书记官等人。
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Court protocol: throne-seat furnishing with royal insignia and regulated audience procedure via the pratihara (door-warden) who introduces officials in proper order.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rajasanopaveshana: Simha-vyaghra-dvipi-carma and Pratihara Audience Protocol","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","pratihara","asana","simha-carma","sabha-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"The king’s seat is marked by prestigious animal hides, and the pratihara controls access by formally presenting ministers and secretaries. It codifies hierarchy, security, and decorum in the royal audience hall."}
Concept: Maryada (regulated order) in governance: access, hierarchy, and symbols of sovereignty are dharmically structured.
Application: Design audience procedures and security layers; formal introductions prevent disorder and preserve institutional dignity.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Royal Court Protocol and Governance)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king seated on a throne-seat covered with a tiger/lion/leopard hide, while a pratihara at the doorway formally introduces ministers and secretaries entering the royal hall.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, ornate palace sabha interior, king on simha/vyaghra-carma asana, pratihara with staff at doorway, ministers with folded hands, traditional jewelry and textiles, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on throne and ornaments, king seated on animal-hide throne, pratihara presenting amatyas, rich architectural archways, jewel-toned garments, frontal iconic arrangement","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework and soft shading, detailed court protocol scene: pratihara introducing officials in sequence, emphasis on gestures of presentation and respectful stance, refined palace backdrop","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intricate court scene with patterned carpets and textiles, king on tiger-skin seat, doorkeeper announcing ministers, fine facial detailing, architectural depth with jali screens and pillars"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्याघ्रजातञ्चर्म = व्याघ्रजातम् + चर्म; तदासने = तत् + आसने; अमात्यसचिवादींश् = अमात्यसचिवआदीन् (आदीन्); प्रदर्शयेत् optative.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma sections on sabha, amatyas, duta, danda-niti (adjacent passages in the same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches practical royal-court procedure: the prescribed throne-seat furnishing (using prestigious animal hides) and the formal protocol of the pratīhāra introducing ministers and officials to the king.
Beyond theology, it records administrative and ceremonial details of kingship—court roles (pratīhāra, amātya, saciva) and assembly etiquette—showing the text’s coverage of statecraft alongside ritual and doctrine.
By prescribing orderly, dharma-aligned court conduct, it frames governance as a sacred duty: disciplined protocol supports righteous rule (rājadharma), which is treated as merit-bearing when performed in accordance with dharma.