Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Ācāra
Right Conduct
लोष्टमर्दो तृणच्छेदी नखखादी विनश्यति मुखादिवादनं नेहेद् विना दीपं न रात्रिगः
loṣṭamardo tṛṇacchedī nakhakhādī vinaśyati mukhādivādanaṃ nehed vinā dīpaṃ na rātrigaḥ
যে মাটির ঢেলা চূর্ণ করে, ঘাস কাটে বা নখ কামড়ায়, সে বিনাশ পায়। তদ্রূপ এখানে মুখ ইত্যাদি দিয়ে বাদ্য করা উচিত নয়; প্রদীপ ছাড়া রাতে চলাফেরা করো না।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Cultivate refined habits and avoid self-degrading actions; maintain safety at night and propriety in vocal performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Avoidances: Vulgar Habits, Improper Vocalizing, and Night Travel Without Light","lookup_keywords":["loṣṭa-marda","tṛṇa-ccheda","nakha-khāda","dīpa","rātri-gamana"],"quick_summary":"Certain crude or restless habits are said to lead to ruin. Do not roam at night without a lamp, and avoid improper mouth-made performance/noises in social settings."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic repetition)
Concept: Ācāra as destiny: small habits and social decorum shape one’s welfare; negligence (darkness) invites harm.
Application: Adopt disciplined daily conduct, avoid compulsive or crude behaviors, and follow practical safety rules (carry light at night).
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Subhāṣita (Practical maxims and didactic counsel)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youth bites nails and idly crushes clods/cuts grass, contrasted with a disciplined person holding a lamp walking safely at night; a small scene shows someone making improper mouth-sounds being gently restrained.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left shows careless habits (nail-biting, crushing clods, cutting grass) with muted tones; right shows a calm figure carrying an oil lamp at night, strong outlines, symbolic contrast.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents: central lamp (dīpa) glowing, night scene around it; side medallions depict nail-biting and idle destruction as cautionary motifs, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic sequence panels with captions: (1) nail-biting, (2) clod-crushing, (3) grass-cutting, (4) night-walking with lamp; soft colors, clear instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal street with a figure holding a lantern, detailed shadows; foreground shows a youth biting nails, courtly observers indicating disapproval, fine textile and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nehed = na + īhet; tṛṇacchedī = tṛṇa + chedī; nakhakhādī = nakha + khādī; mukhādivādanam = mukha-ādi-vādanam; rātrigaḥ = rātri-gaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (subhāṣita/ācāra series)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā (practical ethics): avoid degrading or compulsive habits and maintain prudent conduct—especially avoiding unsafe movement at night without a light.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves social-ethical maxims (subhāṣitas), offering everyday guidance on discipline, decorum, and personal safety—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
The verse frames self-control and dignified behavior as protective of one’s welfare; negligence and undisciplined habits are portrayed as leading to downfall, implying adverse karmic and social consequences.