Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 3
Chapter 238 — राजधर्माः (Rājadharmāḥ) | Duties of Kings
अविसंवादिता सत्यं वृद्धसेवा कृतज्ञता दैवसम्पन्नता बुद्धिरक्षुद्रपरिवारता
avisaṃvāditā satyaṃ vṛddhasevā kṛtajñatā daivasampannatā buddhirakṣudraparivāratā
言行不相违之诚实、守持真谛、奉事长者、知恩报德、具足天赐福分、智慧，以及拥有高雅不卑下的交游圈——此皆为德行。
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical screening for rulers/officials: cultivate and test truth-consistency, elder-service, gratitude, discernment, and noble associations to stabilize governance and public trust.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Core virtues: truth-consistency, elder-service, gratitude, intelligence, noble associates","lookup_keywords":["avisamvadita","satya","vriddha-seva","kritajnata","akshudra-parivara"],"quick_summary":"Public life rests on integrity and character: align speech and action, honor elders, repay benefactors, keep wise judgment, and maintain a noble circle."}
Concept: Satya as avisaṃvāditā (non-contradiction between word and deed) and the social dharma of honoring elders and benefactors; saṅga (company) shapes character.
Application: Personal governance: keep promises, document commitments, practice daily elder-respect/service, maintain gratitude ledgers (repay teachers/benefactors), avoid base entourages that corrupt judgment.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Sadachara (Ethics and Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dignified courtier demonstrates truthfulness by matching spoken words with a written pledge; he serves an elder with water and seat, offers gifts in gratitude, and stands among refined companions while rejecting base associates.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, moral tableau in panels: vow-scroll and speech gesture, elder seated with attendant offering pādya, gratitude offering, noble companions in traditional attire, bold outlines and flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central figure with gold halo, elder-service scene with gold accents on vessels, gratitude offering with ornate jewelry, companions arranged symmetrically, rich gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic multi-scene composition with fine lines: pledge and action alignment, elder-service, gratitude gift, selective association; soft colors and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined social scenes: courtier presenting a signed document, serving an elder, gifting a patron, gathering of cultured men; detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: buddhirakṣudraparivāratā = buddhiḥ + akṣudra-parivāratā (visarga sandhi: ḥ + a → r).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sadācāra sections on satya, guru-vṛddha-sevā, saṅga-doṣa/saṅga-guṇa
FAQs
It imparts practical dharma-vidyā as a checklist of virtues—reliable truthfulness, service to elders, gratitude, sound judgment, and keeping noble company.
Alongside ritual, polity, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also codifies social ethics; this verse functions like a concise moral taxonomy used in rajadharma and sadācāra discussions.
These virtues purify conduct and intention, strengthening dharma and generating auspicious karma through truthful living, reverence to elders, and ethically guided associations.