Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
असमानं द्वितीयेन धर्मराजवचो यथा देशान्तरस्थः श्रुत्वा तु कुल्याणां मरणोद्भवौ
asamānaṃ dvitīyena dharmarājavaco yathā deśāntarasthaḥ śrutvā tu kulyāṇāṃ maraṇodbhavau
One should not, as a second (witness or support), set up an unequal case against an equal—so runs the injunction of the Lord of Dharma. Even one staying in another country, on hearing of a death and its ensuing matters among his kinsmen, must act in accordance with dharma.
Lord Agni (narrating dharma/rajadharma material in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for fair procedure in disputes/testimony (not setting unequal support against an equal) and dharma-duty of kinsmen even when residing abroad upon hearing of a death.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Procedural fairness (asamatva) and dharma-duty across distance after kin-death","lookup_keywords":["asamana","dvitīya","dharma-rāja-vacana","deśāntara","kula mṛtyu"],"quick_summary":"Dharma requires procedural parity—do not oppose an equal with an unequal secondary support; even those living in another land must respond appropriately on hearing of a kinsman’s death and its obligations."}
Concept: Dharma is grounded in fairness (samatā/nyāya) and continuing obligation (ṛṇa) to kin and rites, irrespective of one’s location.
Application: In legal/communal decisions maintain parity of standing; in bereavement, communicate and participate (or authorize/arrange) required rites even when away.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dharma-shastra (Governance, legal-ethical counsel)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-court or council scene emphasizing parity: two parties of equal standing with balanced attendants; a messenger arrives from a distant land bringing news of a kinsman’s death, prompting duty-bound response.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized sabhā with symmetrical arrangement, Dharma-judge figure holding palm-leaf; messenger at doorway with travel staff; restrained palette, emphasis on balance and order.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Dharma/kingly figure with gold halo-like ornamentation, two equal parties mirrored; distant traveler with scroll; rich gilded borders symbolizing authority of dharma.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic court tableau with clear hierarchy lines; inset panel of a traveler in another land receiving death news; fine detailing, calm instructional mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: imperial-style durbar with symmetrical composition, litigants of equal rank; courier entering with letter; architectural depth, delicate textiles, subdued solemnity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मराजवचो = धर्मराजवचः (visarga sandhi in recitation); देशान्तरस्थः = देशान्तर + स्थः; मरणोद्भवौ = मरण + उद्भवौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/nyāya-related adhyāyas (general); Agni Purana 157 (āśauca duties)
FAQs
It conveys rajadharma/legal-ethical guidance: do not bolster an unequal or improper claim by adding a ‘second’ support (e.g., witness/party) against fairness; and it alludes to dharmic obligations that arise upon hearing of a kinsman’s death, even from abroad.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves governance and jurisprudential norms—principles of fairness in adjudication and reminders of social-duty frameworks tied to family events like death.
Upholding fairness and responding appropriately to family-duty obligations are treated as dharmic acts that protect one’s merit (puṇya) and prevent the karmic fault incurred by injustice or neglect of prescribed duties.