Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 29
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
इष्टप्राप्तेरूपचितः सम्पदाभ्युदयो धृतिः गर्वाः परेष्ववज्ञानमात्मन्युत्कर्षभावना
iṣṭaprāpterūpacitaḥ sampadābhyudayo dhṛtiḥ garvāḥ pareṣvavajñānamātmanyutkarṣabhāvanā
من نيل المرغوب ينشأ التكديس (للمكاسب)؛ ومن اليسر والثراء ينشأ ارتفاع المنزلة؛ ومن الثبات تنشأ الكِبْرِياء؛ ومن الكِبْرِياء ينشأ ازدراء الآخرين وتوهّم تفوّق النفس.
Lord Agni (teaching Nīti/Rājadharma to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Nīti analysis for rulers and administrators: tracing how success and prosperity can generate pride, contempt, and superiority-complex—useful for self-governance and court management.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Causal chain of moral-psychological decline from success","lookup_keywords":["rājadharma","nīti","garva","avamāna","utkarṣa-bhāvanā"],"quick_summary":"The verse maps a progression: desired attainment → accumulation; prosperity → status-rise; steadfastness → pride; pride → contempt for others and self-conceit—warning rulers about ethical corrosion."}
Concept: Prosperity can inflate ahaṃkāra; unchecked garva produces avajñā (disrespect) and false utkarṣa-bhāvanā (superiority).
Application: Institutionalize humility checks: counsel by elders, accountability, dana and service, and deliberate honoring of subordinates to prevent contempt culture.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics of rulership and conduct; moral-psychological traits)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king’s rise: receiving desired boons and wealth, ascending the throne, then becoming proud and dismissive of courtiers—contrasted with a wise minister advising restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, royal court scene with layered narrative panels: acquisition of wealth, coronation, then king turning away in pride; minister with calm gesture of counsel, traditional palace motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold throne and ornaments, king seated elevated, courtiers below; subtle moral contrast via minister’s serene face and king’s proud posture, ornate arch and borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style didactic composition: sequential vignettes labeled ‘iṣṭa-prāpti’, ‘sampad’, ‘garva’, ‘avajñā’; fine lines, soft colors, emphasis on expressions and posture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of durbar: king on jharokha-like seat, courtiers presenting petitions; king’s contempt shown by turned chin and dismissive hand; minister whispering counsel, intricate textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इष्टप्राप्तेरूपचितः→इष्टप्राप्तेः उपचितः; सम्पदाभ्युदयः→सम्पद्-अभ्युदयः; परेष्ववज्ञानम्→परेषु अवज्ञानम्; आत्मन्युत्कर्षभावना→आत्मनि उत्कर्ष-भावना
Related Themes: Agni Purana rājadharma/nīti sections on kingly virtues and doṣas of rulers (near 338.29–338.32)
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (ethical statecraft): a causal chain showing how success and prosperity can culminate in garva (arrogance) and avajñā (disrespect), warning leaders to restrain these tendencies.
Beyond rituals and theology, the Agni Purana also systematizes governance and moral psychology; this verse functions like a concise diagnostic of character-failures arising from power and wealth, a key topic in Rājadharma.
It cautions that pride and contempt are spiritually corrosive: they disturb dharma, degrade relationships, and generate negative karma; humility and disciplined restraint preserve merit and right conduct.