Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
निग्रहानुग्रहे शक्तो गुरुरित्यभिधीयते शान्तो दान्तः पटुश्चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यो हविष्यभुक्
nigrahānugrahe śakto gururityabhidhīyate śānto dāntaḥ paṭuścīrṇabrahmacaryo haviṣyabhuk
Wer sowohl zu Zügelung (Disziplinierung) als auch zu Gunst (Gnadengewährung) fähig ist, wird Guru genannt — friedvoll, selbstbeherrscht, kundig, der Brahmacarya geübt hat und von Opfergabe-Speise (haviṣ) lebt.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Criteria for selecting/recognizing a qualified guru for ethical instruction and spiritual training; guidance for institutional/ashram leadership standards.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Guru-lakṣaṇa (marks of a true guru)","lookup_keywords":["guru-lakshana","nigraha-anugraha","brahmacarya","haviṣ-bhuk","śama-dama"],"quick_summary":"A guru is defined by balanced discipline and grace, inner calm and self-control, competence, celibate conduct, and a life aligned with yajña-dharma. Use these traits to evaluate teachers and lineages."}
Concept: Authority is legitimate when grounded in self-mastery and compassionate correction (nigraha + anugraha).
Application: Adopt a code of conduct for teachers: calm speech, controlled senses, competence in śāstra, and non-exploitative livelihood aligned with sacred duty.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Achara (Guru-lakshana / Sadachara)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed teacher seated on a kuśa mat, one hand raised in instruction and the other in a gesture of restraint, with a disciplined student nearby; a small yajña-kuṇḍa indicates haviṣ-based living.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene guru with śānta expression, ochre and green palette, kuśa mat, yajña-kuṇḍa with gentle flames, student in añjali, minimal background, traditional ornament lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru seated on ornate pedestal, halo, rich textiles, small homa fire, gold leaf highlights on ornaments and flame, disciple kneeling with palm-leaf manuscript.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, soft shading, instructional scene of guru demonstrating nigraha/anugraha with two hand gestures, calm ashram setting, muted colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet ascetic teacher in a garden pavilion, subtle expressions showing restraint and favor, disciple attentive, small fire altar, detailed textiles and foliage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निग्रहानुग्रहे → निग्रहे अनुग्रहे; गुरुरित्यभिधीयते → गुरुः इति अभिधीयते; पटुश्चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यो → पटुः च चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (ācāra, guru-śiṣya-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It gives the operational definition of a guru: the authority to apply nigraha (corrective restraint) and anugraha (supportive grace), grounded in personal discipline (śama-dama), brahmacarya, and ritually pure living (haviṣ-bhuk).
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies social-religious standards—here, a concise dharma-style profile of the ideal teacher who transmits śāstra and correct practice.
It frames spiritual authority as ethical and ascetic fitness: a guru’s guidance must balance correction and compassion, and purity of conduct (brahmacarya, pure food) is presented as the basis for effective, merit-bearing instruction.