Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
तुल्यार्थानां विकल्पः स्याद् यागमूलः प्रकीर्तितः वेदे तु विहितो धर्मः स्मृतौ तादृश एव च
tulyārthānāṃ vikalpaḥ syād yāgamūlaḥ prakīrtitaḥ vede tu vihito dharmaḥ smṛtau tādṛśa eva ca
Cuando procedimientos alternativos tienen el mismo sentido (y efecto), se permite una elección opcional (vikalpa); esto se declara como enraizado en el sacrificio (yajña). Además, el dharma prescrito en el Veda es del mismo tipo que el que se halla en la Smṛti.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Apply the hermeneutic rule that when two rites yield the same intended result, an optional choice (vikalpa) is permitted; affirm concordance between Vedic injunctions and Smṛti prescriptions in dharma adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vikalpa (Optionality) and Veda–Smṛti Concordance","lookup_keywords":["vikalpa","tulyārtha","yāga-mūla","veda-smṛti","dharma"],"quick_summary":"If alternative procedures are equivalent in purpose, one may choose either; dharma taught in Smṛti is presented as consistent in kind with Vedic dharma."}
Concept: Scriptural reasoning: equivalence of purpose authorizes optionality; Veda and Smṛti are aligned in dharma when properly interpreted through intention and context.
Application: In ritual or legal doubt, identify whether prescriptions are tulyārtha; if yes, allow vikalpa; resolve conflicts by reading Smṛti as Veda-consistent unless clearly contradicted.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Smriti–Veda concordance; ritual jurisprudence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-scholar demonstrates two equivalent ritual options on a board/palm-leaf, while pointing to Veda and Smṛti manuscripts to show concordance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated ācārya with two palm-leaf bundles labeled ‘Veda’ and ‘Smṛti’, two small yajña setups shown as alternatives, decorative script motifs, calm scholastic ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, scholar with golden halo holding palm-leaf texts, two miniature ritual altars on either side indicating vikalpa, gold embossing on manuscripts and altar vessels, symmetrical didactic icon.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom-like scene: ācārya pointing to a diagram ‘tulyārtha → vikalpa’, students attentive, fine lines and soft colors, emphasis on textual clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, library setting with manuscripts, a pandit explaining to a patron, two illustrated marginal vignettes of alternative rites, meticulous detail and calligraphic borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुल्यार्थानां = तुल्य-अर्थानाम्; स्याद् = स्यात् (द्-आदेशः परे घोषे); यागमूलः = याग-मूलः
Related Themes: Agni Purana dharma-kāṇḍa discussions on pramāṇa and ritual rules; Agni Purana 166.8 (technical definition style)
FAQs
It teaches the hermeneutic rule of vikalpa: when two ritual options yield the same intended result (tulyārtha), one may choose either; and it grounds dharma in yajña as the foundational ritual paradigm.
Beyond myths, it preserves Dharma-śāstra method—how to interpret Vedic prescriptions, reconcile alternatives, and relate Smṛti practice to Vedic authority—showing the Purāṇa as a compendium of ritual jurisprudence and scriptural reasoning.
By permitting choice only where meanings are equivalent, it protects the integrity of dharma while allowing practical adaptability; acting within such sanctioned options sustains yajña-based merit and avoids the fault of deviating from scriptural intent.