Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
तत्राप्यतथ्यं साधूनामाक्रोशायैव जायते महाकुलीना ह्य् ऋजवो धर्मनित्या जितेन्द्रियाः
tatrāpyatathyaṃ sādhūnāmākrośāyaiva jāyate mahākulīnā hy ṛjavo dharmanityā jitendriyāḥ
Même là, la parole non véridique au sujet des vertueux ne naît que pour l’injure ; car ceux de noble lignée sont droits, constamment établis dans le dharma et maîtres de leurs sens.
Lord Agni (narrating puranic instruction to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical governance and social conduct: uphold straightforwardness and self-restraint; recognize that slander against the virtuous is typically abusive rather than truthful critique.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sadhus and Noble Conduct: Rijuta, Dharma-nityata, Jitendriyatva","lookup_keywords":["साधु","अतथ्य","आक्रोश","ऋजु","जितेन्द्रिय"],"quick_summary":"False speech about the virtuous is often mere abuse. The noble are characterized by straightforwardness, constancy in dharma, and control of the senses."}
Concept: Ethical excellence is marked by rijuta (straightforwardness) and jitendriyatva (sense-control); slander is a moral failing rooted in anger/abuse.
Application: For leaders and citizens: evaluate accusations carefully; cultivate restraint and truthful speech; build reputation through consistent dharmic conduct.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Sadācāra (Ethics of conduct; virtues of the noble and self-restrained)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm, self-controlled noble person stands upright while an angry accuser shouts; a judge/king listens discerningly; symbols of dharma (balance/scroll) emphasize truth and restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal noble figure with serene eyes and restrained posture, an irate figure with exaggerated gesture of abuse, a king with dharma-scroll, warm ochres and greens, stylized expressions.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central dignified noble with gold aura-like arch, smaller figure of slanderer in dynamic pose, king holding a palm-leaf manuscript of dharma, gold embossing on ornaments and throne.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, moral-instruction scene with clear facial expressions: calm sadhu vs angry accuser; fine linework, soft colors, emphasis on posture (straightness) and controlled hands.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court of justice with refined textiles, a composed gentleman, a shouting litigant, scribes recording, subtle psychological realism, architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्र+अपि+अतथ्यम् → तत्राप्यतथ्यं (अ+अ→आ; पि+अ→प्य); साधूनाम्+आक्रोशाय+एव → साधूनामाक्रोशायैव (म्+आ→मा; आय+ए→ायै); हि+ऋजवः → ह्य् ऋजवः (इ+ऋ→यृ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Sadachara/Rajadharma passages on satya, akrodha, dama, and qualities of ministers
FAQs
It teaches speech-discipline (vāg-niyama): do not generate or repeat false statements about sādhus, since such falsehood is typically motivated by mere abuse (ākrośa).
Alongside ritual, medicine, and other sciences, the Agni Purana preserves applied dharma for society and governance—here, ethical standards for speech, reputation, and the conduct expected of the noble and disciplined.
Refraining from slander and false accusation protects one from the karmic harm of pāpa caused by malicious speech and supports purity through truthfulness, self-restraint, and steadfast dharma.