Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 24
Adhyāya 361 — अव्ययवर्गः
Avyaya-vargaḥ) — The Section on Indeclinables (Colophon/Closure
मृगयाक्षो दिवास्वप्नः परिवादः स्त्रियो मदः तौर्यत्रिकं वृथाट्या च कामजो दशको गणः
mṛgayākṣo divāsvapnaḥ parivādaḥ striyo madaḥ tauryatrikaṃ vṛthāṭyā ca kāmajo daśako gaṇaḥ
La chasse; l’addiction au jeu de dés; dormir le jour; la médisance; l’abandon aux femmes (jouissance sensuelle); l’ivresse; la triade des arts musicaux (chant, musique instrumentale et danse); et l’errance sans but—tels sont les dix vices issus du désir (kāma).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma/nīti section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"For rulers/administrators: identify and curb kāma-born addictions in oneself, ministers, and citizens through regulation, discipline, and counsel to prevent loss of wealth, reputation, and state stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kāmaja-vyasanāni (Vices born of desire)","lookup_keywords":["kāmaja vyasana","rājadharma","nīti","daśaka gaṇa","vices of desire"],"quick_summary":"A tenfold checklist of desire-driven vices (e.g., hunting, gambling, intoxication, sensuality) used in rājadharma to diagnose moral and administrative decline and prescribe restraint."}
Concept: Kāma, when ungoverned, becomes vyasana (addictive vice) that erodes dharma and artha; restraint is a royal and personal duty.
Application: Adopt personal vows and institutional checks: limit intoxicants, regulate gambling/entertainment, enforce work-rest rhythms, and cultivate counsel (mantra) to prevent relapse.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics: kāmaja-vyasanāni—vices born of desire)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic court scene where a wise minister enumerates ten desire-born vices to a king; vignettes show hunting, dice, day-sleep, slander, sensual indulgence, intoxication, music-dance, and aimless roaming.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a crowned king seated in sabhā with a minister pointing to a palm-leaf list; surrounding small narrative panels of hunting in forest, dice game, a man sleeping at noon, gossiping courtiers, wine cup, dancers and musicians; traditional ornaments, lotus motifs, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central enthroned king and guru-minister holding a manuscript titled 'kāmaja vyasanāni'; gilded arches and halo, inset medallions depicting dice, wine, dancers, hunter with bow; rich reds, embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading; instructional tableau with labeled mini-scenes for each vice; court interior with pillars, calm teacherly minister, restrained palette and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court assembly with Persianate architecture; marginal miniatures illustrating hunting party, gambling, musicians, intoxication; fine textiles, realistic faces, delicate foliage and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वृथाट्या → वृथा + अट्या; other words mostly in compound form without external sandhi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Nīti sections on arishadvarga (inner enemies) and vyasana classification; Agni Purana: Mokṣadharma passages on indriya-nigraha (sense-control)
FAQs
It delivers nīti-śāstra guidance by enumerating the kāmaja-vyasanāni—ten desire-born habits a ruler or householder should restrain to preserve judgment, wealth, and social order.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical governance and ethics; this verse functions like a dharma/nīti manual by classifying personal vices that undermine administration and discipline.
Curbing desire-driven addictions is presented as self-purification: it reduces harm (hiṃsā), false speech, and loss of restraint, thereby supporting dharma and generating steadier, more sattvic karma.