Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 28
Ācāra
Right Conduct
न हुङ्कुर्याच्छिवं पूज्यं पादं पादेन नाक्रमेत् प्रत्यक्षं वा परोक्षं वा कस्य चिन्नाप्रियं वदेत्
na huṅkuryācchivaṃ pūjyaṃ pādaṃ pādena nākramet pratyakṣaṃ vā parokṣaṃ vā kasya cinnāpriyaṃ vadet
لا ينبغي أن يُنطق بلفظ الاحتقار «هُṅ» تجاه شيفا الجدير بالعبادة؛ ولا أن يخطو المرء بقدمه فوق قدم غيره؛ ولا أن يقول ما يكره أحدٌ سماعه، مواجهةً أو غيبةً.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Etiquette in worship and social conduct: avoid contempt toward Śiva, avoid disrespectful bodily gestures, and practice non-hurtful speech publicly and privately.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sadācāra: Śiva-sammāna, Deha-maryādā, and Vāk-śuddhi","lookup_keywords":["śiva-pūjā aparādha","huṅkāra niṣedha","pāda-atikrama","vāk-śuddhi","parokṣa-apriya-vacana"],"quick_summary":"Maintain reverence toward Śiva and avoid worship-offenses; keep bodily etiquette (do not step over another’s foot); and restrain speech from causing displeasure either directly or behind someone’s back."}
Concept: Ahiṃsā through body and speech; avoidance of pūjā-aparādha
Application: In temples and daily life: keep respectful speech, avoid insulting interjections, and practice considerate physical manners.
Khanda Section: Sadācāra & Śiva-pūjā-vidhi (Ethics and conduct in worship)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee stands before a Śiva shrine with folded hands, refraining from contempt; nearby, two people stand with careful foot placement; a third scene shows restrained speech—no gossip behind someone’s back.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva shrine with lamp-lit sanctum, devotee in añjali, side vignette of respectful foot etiquette, muted expressions showing restraint from harsh words","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Śiva-liṅga with gold aureole, devotee offering bilva, decorative panels illustrating ‘no stepping over feet’ and ‘sweet speech’ as moral emblems","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic triptych: (1) worship before Śiva, (2) foot etiquette in a courtyard, (3) two figures conversing gently while a third refrains from backbiting; fine lines and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple courtyard scene with refined gestures, a Śiva shrine in the background, courtiers practicing polite speech, subtle narrative of avoiding slander"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: huṅkuryācchivam = huṅkuryāt + śivam; nākramet = na + ākramet; kasya cinnāpriyam = kasya + cit + na + apriyam
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Śiva-pūjā-vidhi / pūjā-aparādha discussions; Agni Purana: Sadācāra and vāk-niyama passages
FAQs
It teaches practical sadācāra for worship and social life: do not show contempt toward Śiva, avoid disrespectful bodily conduct (stepping over another’s foot), and practice restrained, non-hurtful speech both publicly and privately.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves dharma-oriented social etiquette—covering bodily manners, speech ethics, and devotional propriety—demonstrating its breadth beyond purely ritual manuals.
Reverence toward the deity, non-disrespectful conduct, and avoidance of hurtful speech are presented as purifying disciplines that reduce offense (aparādha) and support merit (puṇya) through self-restraint.