Agni Purana

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.

उत्थापितेन नीत्या च मानुषं व्यसनं हरेत् । मन्त्रो मन्त्रफलावाप्तिः कार्य्यानुष्ठानमायतिः ।। २४१.

Human misfortune is removed by policy and action; counsel, attainment of the fruits of counsel, and proper execution of tasks are essential.

आयव्ययौ दण्डनीतिरमित्रप्रतितषेधनं । व्यसनस्य प्रतीकारो राज्यराजाभिरक्षणं ।। २४१.

Revenue and expenditure, administration of justice, restraining enemies and rivals—these are the remedies for misfortune and the protection of the kingdom and the king.

इत्यमात्यस्य कर्म्मदं इन्ति सव्यसनान्वितः । हिरण्यधान्यवस्त्राणि वाहनं प्रजया भवेत् ।। २४१.

Thus, the duties of a minister are described, even when beset by calamities; he should possess gold, grain, garments, vehicles, and offspring.

तथान्ये द्रव्यनिचया हन्ति सव्यसना प्रजा । प्र्जानामापदिस्थानां रक्षणं कोषदण्डयोः ।। २४१.

Likewise, other accumulations of wealth are destroyed by calamities; the protection of subjects in distress depends on treasury and punishment.

पौराद्याश्चोपकुर्वन्ति संश्रयादिह दुर्द्दिनं । तूष्णीं युद्धं जनत्राणं मित्रामित्रपरिग्रहः ।। २४१.

Citizens and others assist in times of hardship by providing shelter; silent warfare, protection of the people, and discerning friends and enemies are necessary.

सामन्तादि कृते दोषे नश्येत्तद्व्यसनाच्च तत् । भृत्यानां भरणं दानं प्र्जामित्रपरिग्रहः ।। २४१.

If a frontier chief commits an offense, he perishes due to that calamity; maintaining servants, giving gifts, and discerning friends among the people are essential.

धर्म्मकामादिभेदश्च दुर्गसंस्कारभूषणं । कोषात्तद्व्यसनाद्धन्ति कोषमूलो हि भूपतिः ।। २४१.

Distinctions of righteousness, desire, and the like, and the fortification of strongholds—these are destroyed by loss of treasury, for the king is rooted in the treasury.

मित्रामित्रावनीहेमसाधनं रिपुमर्द्दनं । दूरकार्य्याशुकारित्वं दण्डात्तद्व्यसनाद्धरेत् ।। २४१.

The means for dealing with friends and enemies, wealth, and the destruction of foes, as well as the ability to accomplish distant tasks swiftly, are all lost through the calamity of punishment.

संस्तम्भयति मित्राणि अमित्रं नाशयत्यपि । धनाद्यैरुपकारित्वं मित्रात्तद्व्यसनाद्धरेत् ।। २४१.

It strengthens friends and destroys enemies; the benefit of wealth and other resources is lost through the calamity of friends.

राजाच सव्यसनी हन्याद्राजकार्य्याणि यानि च । वाग्दण्डयोश्च पारुष्यमर्थदूषणमेव च ।। २४१.

A king afflicted by calamity destroys royal undertakings; harshness in speech and punishment, and the corruption of wealth, also result.