Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 39
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
गृहक्षेत्रापहर्तारं तथा पत्न्यभिगामिनं अग्निदं गरदं हन्यात्तथा चाभ्युद्यतायुधं
gṛhakṣetrāpahartāraṃ tathā patnyabhigāminaṃ agnidaṃ garadaṃ hanyāttathā cābhyudyatāyudhaṃ
ঘৰ আৰু মাটি হৰণকাৰী, পৰস্ত্ৰীগামী, অগ্নিসংযোগকাৰী, বিষদাতা আৰু অস্ত্ৰধাৰীক বধ কৰা উচিত।
Lord Agni (narrating rājadharma/daṇḍanīti to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Defines capital-liable violent crimes (robbery of house/land, adultery/sexual violation, arson, poisoning, armed assault) for deterrence and swift royal response.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Atatāyin-like offenders warranting slaying: robber, violator, arsonist, poisoner, armed assailant","lookup_keywords":["gṛha-kṣetra-apahāra","patny-abhigamana","agnida","garada","abhyudyata-āyudha"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates high-threat offenders—property usurpers, sexual violators, arsonists, poisoners, and those raising weapons—who may be lawfully slain to protect society."}
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Protection of life, household, and social trust justifies extreme sanction against predatory violence.
Application: Codify and prioritize enforcement against crimes with high externalities (fire, poison, armed assault).
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Daṇḍanīti (Law, governance, and punishments)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king’s officers confront multiple criminals: a land-grabber being seized near boundary stones, an arsonist with a torch, a poisoner with a vial, and an armed attacker raising a sword; justice is administered to protect the town.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fortified town backdrop, stylized flames near a hut, poisoner shown with small pot, guards with shields, king seated in judgment, bold outlines and ritualized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-work on royal throne and weapons, dramatic depiction of torch and sword, criminals in distinct poses, symmetrical court composition emphasizing royal authority.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic labeling through visual cues: boundary markers for land theft, torch for arson, vial for poison, raised weapon for assault; refined faces and controlled drama.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling street with detailed architecture, officers arresting offenders in separate corners, realistic firelight, fine textiles, court scribe noting charges."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्न्यभिगामिनं → पत्नी + अभिगामिनम् ; हन्यात्तथा → हन्यात् + तथा ; चाभ्युद्यतायुधं → च + अभ्युद्यतायुधम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (daṇḍanīti sequence)
FAQs
Daṇḍanīti (legal doctrine) identifying “atatāyins” (violent felons) for whom immediate lethal force is permitted—robber of home/land, violator of another’s wife, arsonist, poisoner, and an assailant with weapon raised.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a dharma-and-governance manual: beyond myths and rituals, it codifies criminal categories and practical rules of statecraft and personal protection within rājadharma/daṇḍanīti.
By treating these offenders as atatāyins, the text frames their stopping—even by killing—as a dharmic act of protection rather than a sinful homicide, emphasizing defense of society, family order, and property.