Agni Purana

योगविज्ञानसत्त्वाढ्यं महापक्षं प्रियम्बदं । आयतिक्षममद्वैधं मित्रं कुर्वीत सत्कुल ।। २३९.

One should make a friend from a good family who is rich in knowledge of yoga, strong in spirit, of great support, speaks kindly, patient, steadfast, and unwavering.

दूरादेवाभिगमनं स्पष्टार्थहृदयानुगा । वाक्‌ सत्कृत्य प्रदानञ्च त्रिविधो मित्रसङ्ग्रहः ।। २३९.

Friendship is gathered in three ways: by approaching from afar, by speech that follows clear meaning and heart, and by giving with respect.

धर्मकामार्थसंयोगो मित्रात्तु त्रिविधं फलं । औरसं तत्र सन्नद्धं१६ तथा वंशक्रमागतं ।। २३९.

From friendship, three kinds of fruits arise: relating to righteousness, desire, and wealth; among these, the natural bond, the firm one, and that which comes by lineage.

रक्षइतं व्ससनेभ्यश्च मित्रं ज्ञेयं चतुर्विधं । मित्रे गुणाः सत्यताद्याः समानसुखदुःखता ।। २३९.

One should know that a friend is of four kinds and protects from dangers; in a friend, virtues such as truthfulness and sharing in both happiness and sorrow are found.

वक्ष्येऽनुजीविनां वृत्तं सेवी सेवेत भूपतिं । दक्षता भद्रता दार्ढ्य क्षान्तिः क्लेशसहिष्णुता ।। २३९.

I will describe the conduct of dependents: a servant should serve the king; skill, good character, firmness, patience, and endurance of hardship are required.

सन्तोषः शीलभुत्साहो मण्डयत्यनुजीविनं । यथाकालमुपासीत राजानं सेवको नयात् ।। २३९.

Contentment, good conduct, and enthusiasm adorn a dependent; a servant should attend upon the king at the proper time, following the rules of policy.

परस्थानगमं क्रौर्य्यमौद्धत्यं मत्सरन्त्यजेत् । विगृह्य कथनं भृत्यो न कुर्य्याज् ज्यायसा सह ।। २३९.

A servant should abandon going to others, cruelty, arrogance, and envy; he should not engage in disputes or arguments with his superior.

गुह्यं मर्म्म च मन्त्रञ्च न च भर्त्तुः प्रकाशयेत् । रक्ताद् वृत्तिं समीहेत् विरक्तं सन्त्यजेन्नृपं ।। २३९.

He should not reveal the king's secrets, weaknesses, or counsel; he should seek his livelihood from a king who favors him, and abandon one who is indifferent.

आजीव्यः सर्व्वसत्त्वानां राजा पर्जन्यवद्भवेत् । आयद्वारेषु चाप्त्यर्थं धनं चाददतीति च ।। २३९.

The king should be a sustainer of all beings, like a raincloud; he may collect wealth through proper channels for the sake of accomplishment.

कुर्य्यादुद्योगसम्पन्नानध्यक्षआन् सर्वकर्म्मसु । कृषिर्व्वणिक्पथो दुर्गं सेतुः कुञ्जरबन्धनं ।। २३९.

He should appoint diligent overseers for all tasks: agriculture, trade routes, fortresses, bridges, and the binding of elephants.

खन्याकरबलादानं शुन्यानां च निवेशनं । अष्टवर्गमिमं राजा साधुवृत्तोऽनुपालयेत् ।। २३९.

He should manage mines, the collection of taxes, and the settlement of deserted lands; a virtuous king should uphold these eightfold duties.

आमुक्तिकेभ्यश्चौरेभ्यः पौरेब्यो राजवल्लभात् । पृथिवीपतिलोभाच्च चप्रजानां पञ्चधा भयं ।। २३९.

From thieves in disguise, from robbers, from townspeople, from those favored by the king, and from the king's own greed—these are the five sources of fear for the subjects.

अवेक्ष्यैतद्भ्यं काले आददीत करं नृपः । अभ्यन्तरं शरीरं स्वं वाह्यं राष्ट्रञ्च रक्षयेत् ।। २३९.

The king should collect taxes from these at the proper time; he should protect his own body, his inner circle, and his kingdom from external threats.

दड्यांस्तु दण्डयेद्राजा स्वं रक्षेच्चःविषादितः । स्त्रियः पुत्रांश्च शत्रुभ्यो विश्वसेन्न कदाचन ।। २३९.

The king should punish those who deserve punishment and protect himself from poison; he should never trust women, sons, or enemies.

राम उवाच प्रभावोत्साहशक्तिभ्‌यां मन्त्रशक्तिः प्रशस्यते । प्रभावोत्साहवान् काव्यो जितो देवपुरोधसा ।। २४१.

Rama said: The power of counsel is praised when joined with strength and energy; Kavi, endowed with power and vigor, overcame the priest of the gods.

मन्त्रयेतेह कार्य्याणि नानाप्तैर्न्नाबिपश्चिता । अशक्यारम्भवृत्तीनां कुतः क्लेशादृते फलं ।। २४१.

Matters are deliberated here with those who are wise and not with the ignorant; for those who undertake the impossible, how can there be results without effort?

अविज्ञातस्य विज्ञानं विज्ञातस्य च निश्चयः । अर्थद्वैधस्य सन्देहच्छेदनं शेषदर्शनं ।। २४१.

Knowledge of the unknown, certainty about the known, resolving doubts in conflicting matters, and understanding what remains—these are the fruits of counsel.

सहायाः साधनोपाया विभागो देशकालयोः । विपत्तेश्च प्रतीकारः पञढ्चान्नो मन्त्र इष्यते ।। २४१.

Allies, means of accomplishment, division according to place and time, and remedies for adversity—these five are considered the elements of counsel.

मनःप्रसादः श्रद्धा च तथा करणपाटवं । सहायोत्थानसम्पच्च कर्म्मणां सिद्धिलक्षणं ।। २४१.

Clarity of mind, faith, skill in action, the effort of companions, and success in deeds are the marks of accomplishment.

मदः प्रमादः कामश्च सुप्तप्रलपितानि च । भिन्दन्ति मन्त्रं प्रच्छन्नाः कामिन्यो रमतान्तथा ।। २४१.

Pride, negligence, desire, and talking in sleep—these hidden faults destroy counsel, as do women who are intent on pleasure.

प्रगल्भः स्मृतिमान्वाग्मी शस्त्रे शास्त्रे च निष्ठितः । अब्यस्तकर्म्मां नृपतेर्दूतो भवितुमर्हति ।। २४१.

One who is bold, remembers well, is eloquent, and skilled in weapons and scriptures—such a person, not neglectful in duties, is fit to be the king's messenger.

सामर्थ्यात् पादतो हीनो दूतस्तु त्रिविधः स्मृतः ।। २४१.

A messenger is considered to be of three kinds, according to his capacity and whether he is lacking in any aspect.

नाविज्ञातं पुरं शत्रोः प्रविशेच्च न शंसदं। कालमीक्षेत कार्य्यार्थमनुज्ञातश्च निष्पतेत् ।। २४१.

One should not enter an enemy's city without reconnaissance, nor approach an informer; the proper time should be observed for the task, and departure should be made only with permission.

छिद्रञ्च शत्रोर्जानीयात् कोषमित्रबलानि च । रागापरागौ जानीयाद् दृष्टिगात्रविचेष्टितैः ।। २४१.

He should ascertain the enemy's weaknesses, treasury, allies, and forces; attachment and aversion should be discerned by observing the eyes, body, and gestures.

कुर्य्याच्चतुर्विधं स्तोत्रं पक्षयोरुभयोरपि । तपस्विव्यञ्जनोपेतैः सुचरैः सह संवसेत् ।। २४१.

He should compose four kinds of reports regarding both sides, and dwell with trustworthy ascetics who display appropriate signs.

चरः प्रकाशो दूतः स्यादप्र्काशश्चरो द्विधा । बणिक् कृषीबलो लिङ्गी बिक्षुकाद्यात्मकाश्चराः ।। २४१.

A spy is overt or covert; the covert spy is of two types: merchant, farmer, laborer, ascetic, beggar, and others serve as spies.

यायादरिं व्यसनिनं निष्फले दूतचेष्टिते । प्रकृतिव्यसनं यत्स्यात्तत् समीक्ष्य समुत्पतेत् ।। २४१.

He should approach an enemy afflicted by misfortune, when the efforts of messengers have failed; having observed the natural calamity, he should act accordingly.

अनयाद्व्यस्यति श्रेयस्तस्मात्तद्व्यसनं स्मृतं । हुताशनो जलं व्याधिर्दुर्भिक्षं मरकं तथा ।। २४१.

That which brings about destruction is called misfortune: fire, water, disease, famine, and plague.

इति पञ्चविधं दैवं व्यसनं मानुषं परं। दैवं पुरुषकारेण शान्त्या च प्रशमन्नयेत् ।। २४१.

Thus, five kinds of calamities are recognized: divine and human; divine calamity is pacified through human effort and appeasement.