Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
अनृते च समुत्कर्षो राजगामि च पैशुनं गुरोश्चालीकनिर्बन्धः समानं ब्रह्महत्यया
anṛte ca samutkarṣo rājagāmi ca paiśunaṃ guroścālīkanirbandhaḥ samānaṃ brahmahatyayā
মিথ্যার উপর দাঁড়ানো আত্ম-উৎকর্ষ, রাজার কাছে পৌঁছায় এমন নালিশি-চুগলি, কুটিল পরনিন্দা, এবং গুরুর উপর মিথ্যা অভিযোগ জোর করে চাপিয়ে দেওয়া—এগুলো ব্রাহ্মণহত্যার সমান পাপ বলা হয়েছে।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical-legal guidance on speech crimes (false boasting, slander to the king, malicious backbiting, false accusation against guru) and their karmic equivalence, informing courtroom/royal-assembly conduct and personal restraint.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Speech-offences equated with brahmahatyā","lookup_keywords":["anṛta","paiśunya","rājagāmi","guru-apavāda","brahmahatyā-samatā"],"quick_summary":"Certain grave abuses of speech—false self-exaltation, slander carried to royal authority, malicious backbiting, and persistent false charges against one’s guru—are declared karmically equivalent to brahmin-slaying."}
Concept: Vāk-karma (speech as action) can be as destructive as physical violence; betrayal of guru and weaponized falsehood are treated as extreme adharma.
Application: Adopt truthfulness, avoid calumny, and treat testimony/complaints as sacred responsibilities—especially in royal/legal settings.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Nyaya (Ethics, crimes, and their karmic equivalences)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scene where a slanderer speaks before the king; a guru sits nearby as a target of false accusation; a moral teacher gestures to restrain harmful speech.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace hall with king on throne, a figure whispering accusations, guru seated with composed dignity, dharma-teacher raising a hand in prohibition, bold lines and expressive faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central king in ornate throne, foreground petitioner with accusatory gesture, guru figure with halo-like dignity, gold work on throne and ornaments, moral contrast through color.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear courtroom composition: king, scribe, witnesses, accused guru; emphasis on didactic clarity and controlled expressions, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with courtiers, a backbiter leaning in, calligraphed speech scroll motif, refined textiles and architecture, subtle moral tension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"stern","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guroścālīkanirbandhaḥ → guroḥ ca ālīka-nirbandhaḥ; brahmahatyayā → brahma-hatyayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (ethical gradations of sins; rājadharma-linked offences)
FAQs
It imparts dharma-vidyā concerning vāṅmaya-doṣa (sins of speech): lying-based self-glorification, slander escalated to royal authority, malicious tale-bearing, and persistent false accusation against one’s guru—classified as extremely grave offenses.
By cataloging and ranking moral-legal transgressions (especially speech-based harms) and equating them with major sins like brahmahatyā, it functions like a dharma/nyāya compendium embedded within the Purana’s wide-ranging subjects.
It warns that weaponizing false speech—especially against a guru or through royal channels—creates karma as severe as brahmin-slaying, emphasizing truthfulness, restraint, and protection of teacher-disciple sanctity.