Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 19
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
तच्छ्रुत्वोवाच राजा तं गृहीत्वाङ्घ्री क्षमाप्य च प्रसादं कुरु त्यक्त्वेमां शिविकां ब्रूहि शृण्वते यो भवान् यन्निमित्तं वा यदागमनकारणम्
tacchrutvovāca rājā taṃ gṛhītvāṅghrī kṣamāpya ca prasādaṃ kuru tyaktvemāṃ śivikāṃ brūhi śṛṇvate yo bhavān yannimittaṃ vā yadāgamanakāraṇam
এ কথা শুনে রাজা বললেন—“আপনার চরণ ধরে ক্ষমা প্রার্থনা করছি; প্রসন্ন হোন। এই শিবিকা ত্যাগ করে বলুন—আমি শুনছি—আপনি কে, কোন উদ্দেশ্যে, এবং আপনার আগমনের কারণ কী?”
The King (rājā) addressing an unknown revered person (likely an ascetic/sage) within Agni Purana’s narrative frame
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Model of royal humility and proper inquiry: seeking forgiveness, requesting instruction, and inviting identification/purpose from a visitor—useful for diplomatic and judicial encounters.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Royal Etiquette: Apology, Prasāda-request, and Inquiry","lookup_keywords":["kṣamā","aṅghri-grahaṇa","prasāda","paripraśna","śivikā-tyāga"],"quick_summary":"The king responds to instruction by apologizing, seeking grace, and asking structured questions (identity, purpose, cause of arrival). This is a procedural template for respectful governance and fact-finding."}
Alamkara Type: Vākya-śailī (dialogic narration)
Concept: Vinaya (humility) and paripraśna (right inquiry) are royal virtues that open access to true counsel.
Application: In administration: de-escalate conflict by apology where appropriate, then gather facts via clear questions before judgment.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Nīti-kathā (Kingship, humility, and inquiry in narrative dialogue)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king steps down from a palanquin, bows and touches a Brahmin’s feet, then gestures for him to speak while attendants hold the palanquin aside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, king in royal attire bending to touch sage’s feet, attendants with palanquin, expressive hand gestures of inquiry, temple-like framing and bold palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold embellishment on crown and palanquin, king in añjali and foot-touching pose, sage calm, ornate arch backdrop, devotional dignity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined court etiquette scene, clear depiction of foot-touching and listening posture, minimal background, emphasis on gesture and decorum","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed procession halted, king dismounting, sage seated, attendants and guards, architectural pavilion, nuanced expressions of apology and attention"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तच्छ्रुत्वोवाच = तत् + श्रुत्वा + उवाच; गृहीत्वाङ्घ्री = गृहीत्वा + अङ्घ्री; त्यक्त्वेमाम् = त्यक्त्वा + इमाम्; यदागमनकारणम् = यत् + आगमनकारणम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: nīti on sabhā-vyavahāra (court conduct), guru-brāhmaṇa-satkāra (honoring teachers), and kṣamā
FAQs
It imparts nīti/ācāra-vidyā: the correct royal etiquette of humility—seeking forgiveness by taking the feet, requesting grace (prasāda), and making a proper inquiry into identity, purpose, and cause of arrival.
Beyond rituals and cosmology, the Agni Purana also preserves practical dharma for governance and conduct. This verse exemplifies rajadharma through speech-acts: apology, deference, and structured questioning—core elements of polity and ethical administration.
Humility toward a worthy person and sincere kṣamā (seeking pardon) are presented as purifying acts that reduce arrogance and negative karma, aligning the king’s authority with dharma through reverence and truth-seeking.