Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Ācāra
Right Conduct
रजस्वलादिपतितैर् न भाषेत केशवं स्मरेत् नासंवृतमुखः कुर्याद्धासं जृम्भां तथा क्षुतं
rajasvalādipatitair na bhāṣeta keśavaṃ smaret nāsaṃvṛtamukhaḥ kuryāddhāsaṃ jṛmbhāṃ tathā kṣutaṃ
রজস্বলা প্রভৃতি অশৌচ বা পতিত অবস্থার লোকদের সঙ্গে কথা বলবে না। কেশবকে স্মরণ করবে। আর মুখ না ঢেকে হাসি, হাই বা হাঁচি দেবে না।
Lord Agni (teaching traditional dharma/ācāra to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily etiquette: avoid conversation in contexts of ritual impurity; maintain smaraṇa of Keśava; practice hygiene by covering the mouth during involuntary emissions (laughter/yawn/sneeze).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ācāra: aśauca-saṃsparśa avoidance, Keśava-smaraṇa, and mukha-āvṛti","lookup_keywords":["rajasvala","asauca","kesava-smarana","mukha-avrti","ksuta-jrmbha-hasa"],"quick_summary":"Maintain ritual-social boundaries with aśauca states, keep the mind anchored in Viṣṇu-smaraṇa, and observe public hygiene by covering the mouth during laughter, yawning, and sneezing."}
Concept: Outer conduct (ācāra) supports inner purity; nāma-smaraṇa steadies mind amid social/ritual constraints.
Application: Adopt mindful speech boundaries, keep a simple Keśava-nāma practice, and follow mouth-covering etiquette in communal spaces and rituals.
Khanda Section: Achara-Dharma (Purity rules and ritual etiquette)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: jugupsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder pauses speech with an aśauca-marked person at a distance, silently remembers Keśava, and covers the mouth while sneezing/yawning in a domestic or temple-adjacent setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, domestic courtyard near a shrine lamp, devotee with folded hands in Keśava-smaraṇa, another figure at respectful distance indicating aśauca, clear gesture of covering mouth, muted traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, small Viṣṇu/Keśava icon with gold halo above, devotee in prayerful remembrance, gold detailing on lamp and ornaments, secondary vignette showing mouth-covering etiquette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of three actions: avoid conversation in impurity contexts, remember Keśava, cover mouth during sneeze/yawn/laugh; neat labels and refined linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior scene with a devotee turning slightly away to cover mouth, subtle inclusion of a small Viṣṇu image niche, careful portrayal of social distance and decorum"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryāt + hāsam → kuryāddhāsam (assimilation d+h); smaret + na + asaṃvṛtamukhaḥ → smaret na asaṃvṛtamukhaḥ (written smaret nāsaṃvṛtamukhaḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-nāma/stotra materials (where present); Agni Purana: Śauca and daily conduct rules in ācāra sections
FAQs
It teaches ācāra (ritual-social etiquette): avoid conversation with those in impurity/fallen states, maintain devotional mindfulness by remembering Keśava, and observe cleanliness etiquette by covering the mouth during laughter, yawning, and sneezing.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical dharma—minute behavioral and purity regulations—showing its wide scope from devotion (smaraṇa) to everyday hygiene and social conduct.
The verse links bodily discipline and purity with spiritual merit: restraint and cleanliness reduce ritual impurity, while remembering Keśava reinforces sattvic mindfulness and supports auspicious karma in daily life.