Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 28
Ṣāḍguṇya — The Six Measures of Foreign Policy
with Rāja-maṇḍala Theory
अरेश् च विजगीषोश् च यानवत् पञ्चधा स्मृतम् बलिनीर्द्विषतोर्मध्ये वाचात्मानं समर्पयन्
areś ca vijagīṣoś ca yānavat pañcadhā smṛtam balinīrdviṣatormadhye vācātmānaṃ samarpayan
对于国王及求胜求征服者，行军/远征之策 yāna 被教为五种。面对两股敌对势力时，彼若强盛，当以言辞托付其意，置身于两敌之间。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Fivefold yāna for rulers; when caught between two hostile powers, use calibrated speech/pledges (vācā) to position oneself advantageously—balancing, mediating, or dividing enemies through diplomacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvaidhibhāva-like Positioning: Speaking Between Two Enemies","lookup_keywords":["yāna pañcadhā","dvi-ari-madhya","vācā samarpayati","balin","diplomatic positioning"],"quick_summary":"A strong king facing two hostile powers should employ a fivefold expedition policy and strategically ‘offer himself by speech’—using declarations, assurances, or negotiations—to stand between and manage the two adversaries."}
Concept: Vāc (speech) is an instrument of power: declarations and negotiated commitments can substitute for immediate force, especially in multi-enemy scenarios.
Application: In high-stakes negotiations with two competing parties, use clear commitments and controlled messaging to prevent alignment against you.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Statecraft: diplomacy and stratagems)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A powerful king stands between two hostile kings’ camps, sending envoys and speaking measured assurances; his army remains poised behind him, signaling strength while diplomacy prevents a two-front attack.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central king as mediator between two opposing crowned figures, hand gestures of speech and assurance, two camps on either side, strong outlines, traditional ornaments, emphasis on poised strength.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central king with gold halo and rich jewelry, two rival kings on left and right, scroll of proclamation in hand, envoys presenting messages, gold-leaf highlights on regalia and weapons.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diplomacy scene: king addressing two envoys simultaneously, map showing two hostile fronts, annotations for ‘vācā samarpayati’, refined lines and calm composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, triadic diplomatic meeting in a pavilion between two camps, detailed attendants and scribes, subtle facial expressions, realistic landscape, emphasis on negotiation and power balance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: areś ca = areḥ + ca; vijagīṣoś ca = vijigīṣoḥ + ca; dviṣatormadhye = dviṣatoḥ + madhye; vācātmānam = vācā + ātmānam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma on dvaidhibhāva/saṃśraya options within ṣāḍguṇya; Agni Purana sections on dūta (envoy) speech, truth/strategy in messaging
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (political science): the fivefold doctrine connected with yāna (military advance/expedition) and a tactic for managing a situation involving two hostile powers through strategic speech and positioning.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana includes practical manuals of kingship—diplomacy, alliance-management, and war-planning—showing it as a compendium that treats governance (rājadharma) alongside ritual and philosophy.
By emphasizing controlled speech and calculated restraint amid conflict, it aligns kingship with dharma: minimizing reckless violence and pursuing order through disciplined conduct, which is presented as dharmically meritorious for a ruler.