Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 43
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
न स्वपेत् स्त्रीगृहे रात्रौ विश्वासः कृत्रिमो भवेत्
na svapet strīgṛhe rātrau viśvāsaḥ kṛtrimo bhavet
Man soll nachts nicht im Haus einer Frau schlafen; denn Vertrauen kann in einer solchen Lage künstlich und unzuverlässig sein.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Prudential conduct rule for personal safety and reputation management within social-legal norms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nīti rule: Avoid sleeping in a woman’s house at night","lookup_keywords":["nīti","strī-gṛha","rātri","aviśvāsa","ācāra"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a concise cautionary maxim: do not stay overnight in a woman’s house, as situational trust may be unreliable and lead to risk or accusation."}
Concept: Ācāra as preventive ethics: avoiding contexts that generate suspicion, conflict, or harm.
Application: Personal conduct guideline for officials, students, and householders to reduce legal/social vulnerability and maintain public trust.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Conduct, social ethics, prudential counsel)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler or official declines lodging at night in a woman’s house, choosing instead a public rest-house; the night setting emphasizes caution.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; moonlit street, a man respectfully stepping back from a doorway where a woman stands; a public dharmaśālā visible nearby; bold outlines, subdued night tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; symbolic composition with gold moon and ornate doorway; the man gestures refusal and turns toward a lit rest-house; rich costume detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; instructional scene with clear narrative: ‘avoid night stay’ shown by sign-like cues (moon, closed door, safe lodging); delicate linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; nocturnal courtyard with lanterns; the man departs politely; architectural detail and careful facial expressions conveying prudence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: strīgṛhe = strī-gṛhe.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (nīti counsel around strī-rakṣā)
FAQs
It imparts Nīti-vidyā (practical prudence): avoid situations that invite suspicion, false confidence, or social/ethical complications—here, specifically, staying overnight in a woman’s household.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also compiles governance and conduct literature (Rājadharma/Nīti), giving practical rules for social behavior and risk-avoidance alongside its many other disciplines.
By avoiding morally ambiguous or reputation-risking contexts, one reduces occasions for misconduct, slander, and resulting pāpa (demerit), supporting dharmic living and mental purity.