Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 20
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
सत्यं ब्रूहीति सोवाच नृपं मह्यं ददासि चेत् वरद्वयं पूर्वदत्तं सत्यात् त्वं देहि मे नृप
satyaṃ brūhīti sovāca nṛpaṃ mahyaṃ dadāsi cet varadvayaṃ pūrvadattaṃ satyāt tvaṃ dehi me nṛpa
সে বলল—“সত্য বলো। যদি তুমি আমাকে রাজাকে দাও, তবে হে রাজা, সত্য অনুসারে পূর্বে প্রদত্ত দুই বর আমাকে দাও।”
Narrative voice within Agni Purana (Agni instructing the sage; the verse quotes a petitioner speaking to a king)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Royal decision-making anchored in satya (truth) and honoring prior promises/boons; guidance for ethical governance and dispute resolution.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Satya and Prior Boons in Royal Conduct","lookup_keywords":["satya","vara-dvaya","raja-dharma","promise","boon"],"quick_summary":"A king is pressed to speak truth and to fulfill previously granted boons. The passage frames satya and promise-keeping as binding constraints on royal power."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (light alliteration) / Vakrokti (rhetorical pressure)
Concept: Satya as a binding principle over royal will; dana/vara once given becomes a moral debt.
Application: In governance and personal life, avoid rash promises; once promised, fulfill or accept reputational/dharmic loss.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, vows, and truthfulness in royal conduct)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtly petitioner demands truth and the fulfillment of two previously granted boons; the king is confronted with the binding force of his word.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style royal sabha scene, seated king with crown and attendants, a stern petitioner raising a hand in admonition 'satyam brūhi', warm earthy palette, stylized faces, ornate pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a king on a jeweled throne, petitioner in front requesting 'vara-dvaya', heavy gold leaf on ornaments and throne arch, rich reds and greens, frontal iconic composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework showing dialogue moment: king hesitant, ministerial attendants, petitioner pointing to prior promise, subtle shading, instructional caption-like clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature court audience, detailed textiles and carpet, king and petitioner in profile, calligraphic cartouche indicating 'satya' and 'boons', delicate architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोवाच = सः + उवाच; ब्रूहीति = ब्रूहि + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Rajadharma sections on satya, dana, and nripa-niti (general)
FAQs
It teaches satya-dharma as a practical rule of conduct: a king (or any authority) must speak truthfully and honor previously promised boons without deviation.
Alongside ritual and cosmological topics, the Agni Purana also preserves governance-ethics (rajadharma), showing how political authority is bound by vows, truth, and enforceable promises.
Truthfulness and fidelity to one’s pledged word are treated as dharmic restraints that preserve merit; breaking promised boons is implied to generate negative karma and moral fault for a ruler.