Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 4
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
आहारो मैथुनन्निद्रा सेव्या नाति हि रुग् भवेत् मञ्चाधिकारे कर्तव्याः स्त्रियः सेव्याः स्वरामिकाः
āhāro maithunannidrā sevyā nāti hi rug bhavet mañcādhikāre kartavyāḥ striyaḥ sevyāḥ svarāmikāḥ
La comida, el acto sexual y el sueño deben practicarse con medida, no en exceso; pues por el exceso, en verdad, surge la enfermedad. Guardando la debida propiedad del lecho y de la circunstancia, debe uno unirse a mujeres que sean adecuadas y gratas para sí.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Health regimen guidance for rulers/householders: moderation in diet, sleep, and sexual activity to prevent disease; propriety in sexual conduct.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Moderation in Āhāra–Maithuna–Nidrā to Prevent Roga","lookup_keywords":["āhāra","maithuna","nidrā","atiyoga","roga"],"quick_summary":"Food, sex, and sleep are beneficial when moderate; excess leads to illness. Sexual conduct should be appropriate to circumstance and compatible partners."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Mātrā (measure) and niyama (regulated living) as the basis of well-being; excess (atiyoga) produces disorder.
Application: Create a daily regimen (dinacaryā-like): fixed sleep window, mindful eating, and regulated sexuality to preserve strength, clarity, and longevity.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda (Health regimen and conduct: diet, sleep, sexual conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau showing three pillars labeled ‘Āhāra’, ‘Nidrā’, ‘Maithuna’ supporting a healthy body; a physician-sage instructs a nobleman about moderation and proper conduct.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symbolic three-pillars composition, healthy figure centered, sage-vaidya teaching, stylized household setting with bed and meal tray, warm earthy tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central healthy figure with gold halo-like emphasis on vitality, three labeled pillars with gold accents, sage instructing, ornate border, rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: measured meal portions, orderly bed, discreet depiction of regulated conduct, sage pointing to a regimen scroll, clean lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic interior split into vignettes (meal, sleep, counsel), physician advising noble, fine detail on utensils and bedding, subtle moral tone"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: maithunannidrā→maithunam nidrā; nāti→na ati; mañcādhikāre→mañca-adhikāre.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Ayurveda/ācāra sections on diet, sleep, brahmacarya/maithuna-niyama (where present)
FAQs
Ayurvedic preventive guidance: maintain moderation in diet, sleep, and sexual activity to avoid disease; engage in sexual relations only with proper propriety and suitability.
It illustrates the Purana’s inclusion of practical health science (Ayurveda) alongside theology—offering applied lifestyle rules (pathya) for disease prevention and well-being.
Moderation and disciplined conduct reduce harm and excess (a source of doṣa and demerit), supporting purity of body and mind, which in turn supports dharma and spiritual practice.