Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 46
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
कृटापराधास्ताड्याः सूरज्वा वेणुदलेन वा पृष्ठे न मस्तके हन्याच्चौरस्याप्नोति किल्विषं
kṛṭāparādhāstāḍyāḥ sūrajvā veṇudalena vā pṛṣṭhe na mastake hanyāccaurasyāpnoti kilviṣaṃ
Those who have committed a minor offence should be beaten with a strap/whip or with a split bamboo; they should be struck on the back, not on the head. One who strikes a thief contrary to this rule incurs sin.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Penal procedure for minor offences: permitted instruments (strap/whip, split bamboo), permitted target area (back), and prohibition of head blows; establishes liability/sin for excessive or improper punishment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Corporal punishment protocol for minor offences","lookup_keywords":["tāḍana","veṇu-dala","kṛta-aparādha","daṇḍa-nīti","śiraḥ-pratiṣedha"],"quick_summary":"For minor offences, beating is allowed only with specified implements and only on the back, not the head. Violating this restraint is treated as culpable (incurs kīlbiṣa), emphasizing proportionality and humane limits."}
Weapon Type: Whip/strap; split bamboo (staff-like implement)
Concept: Daṇḍa must be bounded by dharma: proportionality, non-lethality for minor offences, and accountability for the punisher.
Application: For policing/discipline, codify permissible force and prohibited zones; train enforcers to avoid head strikes and to use graded, documented measures.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma / Vyavahāra (Penal law and governance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A controlled punishment scene: an officer administers measured blows with a strap or split bamboo to an offender’s back while another official supervises to prevent head strikes; the king/judge’s order is visible as a written edict.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized guard holding veṇu-dala, offender slightly bent, supervisor gesturing ‘not the head’, minimal background, strong outlines, moral restraint theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: royal justice scene with gold accents on throne and implements; emphasis on restraint—guard’s hand halted near the head by an overseeing official; rich textiles, formal symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic illustration of correct vs incorrect striking zones (back highlighted), fine linework, calm palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: administrative courtyard with guards, offender, supervising clerk; realistic bamboo/strap depiction, careful body posture, documentary tone."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"stern","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛṭāparādhāstāḍyāḥ = kṛṭa-aparādhāḥ tāḍyāḥ; hanyāccaurasyāpnoti = hanyāt caurasya āpnoti.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226.47 (misconduct by protectors) as a governance check on abuse; Agni Purana 226.45 (fines) as alternative/parallel non-violent penalties
FAQs
Daṇḍanīti (penal discipline): it specifies the implement (strap/whip or split bamboo) and the safe/allowed body-location (back, not head) for corporal punishment in minor offences.
It preserves practical governance and legal norms—rules of punishment, proportionality, and procedure—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology into statecraft and jurisprudence.
Punishment must be administered within dharmic limits; violating humane constraints (e.g., striking the head) brings kilviṣa (sin), making the enforcer karmically accountable.