Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
प्रायश्चित्तानि (Expiations) — Association-Impurity, Purification Rites, and Graded Penance
प्राजापत्यन्तु शूद्राणां शेषन्तदनुसारतः गुंडङ्कुसुम्भं लवणं तथा धान्यानि यानि च
prājāpatyantu śūdrāṇāṃ śeṣantadanusārataḥ guṃḍaṅkusumbhaṃ lavaṇaṃ tathā dhānyāni yāni ca
Für Śūdras ist die (Art des Lebensunterhalts) vom Typ prājāpatya; das Übrige ist demgemäß zu befolgen. (Sie dürfen handeln mit) guṇḍa, Färberdistel (safflower), Salz und den vorhandenen Getreidearten.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s usual narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance on socially permitted livelihood/trade items for Śūdras, indicating allowable commodities (e.g., safflower, salt, grains) within varṇa-ordered economic norms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śūdra livelihood: prājāpatya type and permitted trade goods (guṇḍa, kusumbha, lavaṇa, dhānya)","lookup_keywords":["śūdra-vṛtti","prājāpatya","kusumbha","lavaṇa","dhānya"],"quick_summary":"The verse outlines a regulated livelihood model for Śūdras and lists typical tradable goods such as safflower, salt, and grains."}
Concept: Varṇa-āśrama-linked economic regulation: livelihood is framed as a dharmically bounded social function.
Application: Use as a normative template for classifying occupations/commodities in traditional legal-ethical discussions of trade and duty.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Varna-ashrama (Dharma-shastra / Social ordinances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: arthika
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A marketplace scene showing sacks of grains, bowls of salt, and bundles of safflower (kusumbha) dye; a Śūdra merchant conducts trade under the oversight of a town elder, illustrating regulated livelihood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized bazaar with grain heaps and salt jars, safflower blossoms as bright accents, figures in profile with traditional attire, flat decorative composition emphasizing commodities","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented market tableau with gold highlights on containers and textiles, vivid red-orange safflower, neatly arranged grain sacks, dignified merchant figure, auspicious prosperity mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction of listed goods with labels, merchant weighing salt and grain, muted elegance, precise detailing of measures and containers","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed bazaar with scales, merchants, and goods—salt crystals, grain sacks, safflower dye bundles—architectural backdrop, naturalistic rendering and fine patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"neutral","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राजापत्यन्तु = प्राजापत्यम् + तु; शेषन्तदनुसारतः = शेषम् + तत्-अनुसारतः (anusvāra/assimilation in transmission).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 170 (varṇa-āśrama ordinances context)
FAQs
It gives a dharma-shastra style prescription of Śūdra livelihood—indicating a regulated (prājāpatya) mode and listing permissible tradable commodities such as safflower, salt, and grains.
Beyond theology, it records practical social governance—occupational norms and allowable goods—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of law, economy, and varna-based duties.
Following one’s prescribed, non-harmful livelihood in accordance with dharma is presented as conduct that supports social order and helps avoid karmic fault arising from prohibited or exploitative occupations.