Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 18
Ācāra
Right Conduct
लोष्टमर्दो तृणच्छेदी नखखादी विनश्यति मुखादिवादनं नेहेद् विना दीपं न रात्रिगः
loṣṭamardo tṛṇacchedī nakhakhādī vinaśyati mukhādivādanaṃ nehed vinā dīpaṃ na rātrigaḥ
Celui qui écrase des mottes, coupe l’herbe ou se ronge les ongles court à la ruine. De même, qu’on ne fasse pas ici de musique avec la bouche et autres moyens; et sans lampe qu’on ne circule pas la nuit.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Cultivate refined habits and avoid self-degrading actions; maintain safety at night and propriety in vocal performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Avoidances: Vulgar Habits, Improper Vocalizing, and Night Travel Without Light","lookup_keywords":["loṣṭa-marda","tṛṇa-ccheda","nakha-khāda","dīpa","rātri-gamana"],"quick_summary":"Certain crude or restless habits are said to lead to ruin. Do not roam at night without a lamp, and avoid improper mouth-made performance/noises in social settings."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic repetition)
Concept: Ācāra as destiny: small habits and social decorum shape one’s welfare; negligence (darkness) invites harm.
Application: Adopt disciplined daily conduct, avoid compulsive or crude behaviors, and follow practical safety rules (carry light at night).
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Subhāṣita (Practical maxims and didactic counsel)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youth bites nails and idly crushes clods/cuts grass, contrasted with a disciplined person holding a lamp walking safely at night; a small scene shows someone making improper mouth-sounds being gently restrained.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left shows careless habits (nail-biting, crushing clods, cutting grass) with muted tones; right shows a calm figure carrying an oil lamp at night, strong outlines, symbolic contrast.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold accents: central lamp (dīpa) glowing, night scene around it; side medallions depict nail-biting and idle destruction as cautionary motifs, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic sequence panels with captions: (1) nail-biting, (2) clod-crushing, (3) grass-cutting, (4) night-walking with lamp; soft colors, clear instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, nocturnal street with a figure holding a lantern, detailed shadows; foreground shows a youth biting nails, courtly observers indicating disapproval, fine textile and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nehed = na + īhet; tṛṇacchedī = tṛṇa + chedī; nakhakhādī = nakha + khādī; mukhādivādanam = mukha-ādi-vādanam; rātrigaḥ = rātri-gaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (subhāṣita/ācāra series)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā (practical ethics): avoid degrading or compulsive habits and maintain prudent conduct—especially avoiding unsafe movement at night without a light.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves social-ethical maxims (subhāṣitas), offering everyday guidance on discipline, decorum, and personal safety—showing its wide, encyclopedic scope.
The verse frames self-control and dignified behavior as protective of one’s welfare; negligence and undisciplined habits are portrayed as leading to downfall, implying adverse karmic and social consequences.