Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
न स्त्री दुष्यति जारेण न विप्रो वेदकर्मणा बलात्कारोपभुक्ता चेद्वैरिहस्तगतापि वा
na strī duṣyati jāreṇa na vipro vedakarmaṇā balātkāropabhuktā cedvairihastagatāpi vā
لا تُعَدّ المرأة نجسةً بسبب معاشرةِ عشيقٍ، ولا يُعَدّ البرهمن نجسًا بسبب إقامته للأعمال الفيدية. وكذلك إن انتُهِكت قسرًا—أو حتى إن وقعت في أيدي العدو—فلا تُوصَف بأنها تلطّخت بسبب ذلك.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Guidance on śauca/adoṣa determinations: a woman is not deemed intrinsically impure due to coercion or enemy-captivity; and a brāhmaṇa is not tainted by Vedic ritual action—used in legal/social adjudication and reintegration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Adoṣa in Śauca: Woman Not Tainted by Coercion/Enemy-Captivity; Brāhmaṇa Not Tainted by Vedic Acts","lookup_keywords":["śauca","adoṣa","balāt-kāra","vairi-hasta-gata","brāhmaṇa vedakarma"],"quick_summary":"The verse asserts non-taint (adoṣa) in specific cases: coercion or enemy-captivity does not render a woman impure, and performing Vedic rites does not render a brāhmaṇa impure—supporting dharmic protection and social restoration."}
Concept: Moral agency and fault (doṣa) depend on consent/intent; coercion does not generate impurity-blame. Ritual action aligned with Veda is not a source of taint.
Application: In community or royal adjudication, avoid stigmatizing victims of force or captivity; affirm eligibility for household and ritual life after appropriate supportive rites per local smṛti practice.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dharma-shastra (Social and Legal Norms)
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A council scene where a woman rescued from enemy captivity is received without stigma; a brāhmaṇa performs Vedic rites nearby, emphasizing that dharmic action does not taint. The mood is protective and restorative.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: royal court with dharma-assembly, rescued woman welcomed, priest with Vedic implements, strong gestures of reassurance, warm earthy palette, sacred border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: compassionate courtly tableau with gold highlights on royal ornaments and priestly vessels; central focus on the woman’s dignified reinstatement, serene faces, auspicious framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene—left: enemy camp silhouette indicating captivity; right: reintegration in court with a written placard ‘adoṣa’; fine lines, calm composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar where qāḍī-like dharma-judge and brāhmaṇa counsel the king; the rescued woman stands respectfully, attendants present, nuanced expressions and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेद्वैरिहस्तगतापि→चेत् वैरिहस्तगता अपि; बलात्कारोपभुक्ता as बलात्कार+उपभुक्ता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma and śauca discussions; Agni Purana: Strī-dharma/śuddhi sections
FAQs
It gives a dharma-shastra rule on śuddhi (purity/taint): coercion (balātkāra) or captivity by an enemy does not constitute moral defilement; it also frames ritual performance (veda-karma) as non-defiling for a vipra.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical norms of governance and law; this verse functions like a legal-ethical maxim defining when impurity is not imputed, aligning the text with dharma-shastra and rajadharma material.
It limits unjust karmic blame: where agency is absent (force or enemy custody), sin/taint is not assigned, supporting compassion and correct moral accounting in dharmic judgment.