Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 2
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
राज्यं राष्ट्रञ्चेति ख , छ , ञ च लक्षयेदिति ञ तथारिमित्रमित्रञ्च विजिगीषोः पुरः स्मृताः पार्ष्णिग्राहः स्मृतः पश्चादाक्रन्दस्तदनन्तरं
rājyaṃ rāṣṭrañceti kha , cha , ña ca lakṣayediti ña tathārimitramitrañca vijigīṣoḥ puraḥ smṛtāḥ pārṣṇigrāhaḥ smṛtaḥ paścādākrandastadanantaraṃ
“王国”与“国土/疆域”——应依传统标记而理解为相关范畴。同样，敌王、敌王之盟友以及己方盟友，被说为位于欲征服者（vijigīṣu）之前；“执踵者”（pārṣṇigrāha，掣其后跟者）被判定在其后方，而“扰掠者”（ākranda）则在其后继起。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vyakarana","practical_application":"Operationalize mandala roles around the vijigīṣu: classify front and rear threats (ari/mitra/pārṣṇigrāha/ākranda) and distinguish state components (rājya/rāṣṭra) for planning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Positions in the maṇḍala: vijigīṣu’s front triad and rear threats (pārṣṇigrāha, ākranda)","lookup_keywords":["vijigīṣu","pārṣṇigrāha","ākranda","rājya vs rāṣṭra","mandala positions"],"quick_summary":"Define the political actors by position: enemy and allied states in front; a rear ‘heel-grabber’ and subsequent raider behind—useful for anticipating two-front pressures."}
Concept: Correct naming and positional understanding (saṃjñā and sthāna) enable effective policy and defense.
Application: Before campaigning, assign each neighbor a role (front ally/enemy, rear threat, raider) and allocate forces for rear security and anti-raid response.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance and Statecraft; Mandala theory and political circles)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A strategic map shows the vijigīṣu at center with front-facing enemy/ally nodes and rear nodes labeled ‘pārṣṇigrāha’ and ‘ākranda’, alongside a note distinguishing rājya and rāṣṭra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central king icon with directional layout—front triad and rear threats; stylized landscape bands; bold labels on palm-leaf scroll motifs; traditional flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted directional mandala chart with the king at center; rear threats depicted as shadowy raiders; ornate borders and embossed gold on labels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional diagram with arrows indicating ‘front’ and ‘behind’; small vignettes of raiders and rear-guard troops; delicate coloration and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: cartographic court painting with a painted map on a low table; ministers point to rear threat markers; detailed terrain, forts, and marching columns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राष्ट्रम्+च+इति→राष्ट्रञ्चेति; दण्डयेत्/लक्षयेत् इत्यादि—इति-योग; तथा+अरि...→तथारि...; मित्रम्+च→मित्रञ्च; पश्चात्+आक्रन्दः→पश्चादाक्रन्दः (त्→द्); तत्+अनन्तरम्→तदनन्तरम् (त्→द्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 239 (maṇḍala elaboration)
FAQs
It teaches rajadharma “mandala” classification: how a vijigīṣu (aspiring conqueror) should identify the enemy, the enemy’s ally, one’s own ally, and specific threat-positions like the pārṣṇigrāha (rear attacker) and ākranda (raider/harasser).
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied political science: diplomatic mapping of surrounding powers and threat sequencing—core material for governance, war-planning, and alliance management.
In puranic rajadharma, correctly discerning allies and threats supports righteous rule (dharma-rājya), reducing unjust conflict and protecting subjects—actions held to generate merit through responsible kingship.