Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 48
Prāyaścitta — Definitions of Killing, Brahmahatyā, and Graded Expiations
पितुः पत्नीञ्च भगिनीमाचार्यतनयान्तथा आचार्याणीं सुतां स्वाञ्च गच्छंश् च गुरुतल्पगः
pituḥ patnīñca bhaginīmācāryatanayāntathā ācāryāṇīṃ sutāṃ svāñca gacchaṃś ca gurutalpagaḥ
जो पुरुष पिता की पत्नी, अपनी बहन, आचार्य की पुत्री, आचार्य की पत्नी, अपनी पुत्री या अपनी माता के साथ गमन करता है, वह ‘गुरुतल्पग’ (गुरु-शय्या का उल्लंघन करने वाला) कहलाता है।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":null,"practical_application":"Defines the category of mahāpātaka-like sexual transgression termed gurutalpagamana for legal/ritual consequences and expiation mapping.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gurutalpaga (violator of the guru’s bed): prohibited relations list","lookup_keywords":["gurutalpa","gurutalpaga","agamya","incest","ācārya-patnī"],"quick_summary":"Intercourse with specified protected women (guru’s wife, father’s wife, close kin, etc.) is classified as gurutalpa-violation, triggering severe dharmic sanctions and expiations."}
Concept: Protection of guru-kula and kinship boundaries is foundational to social-ritual order; violating them is a grave adharma.
Application: Use as a normative boundary list in adjudication, confession, and assignment of prāyaścitta.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prāyaścitta & Pātaka—sins and expiations)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic scene: a teacher (ācārya) seated with students, while a cautionary tableau shows forbidden relations marked as ‘niṣiddha’ in a symbolic, non-explicit manner (e.g., figures separated by a boundary line).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ācārya on a wooden seat teaching dharma, symbolic silhouettes behind a red boundary band indicating prohibited relations, strong outlines, temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, guru enthroned with palm-leaf manuscript, gold detailing, small medallions showing ‘niṣiddha’ kin categories (mother, sister, guru’s wife) as icons with veils, non-explicit moral tableau.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart-like composition: guru pointing to a palm-leaf list of prohibited relations, calm interior, refined linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly qazi/scholar reading a legal text to an accused man, attendants, architectural setting, emphasis on moral gravity without explicit depiction."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"grave","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्नीञ्च = पत्नीम् + च; भगिनीमाचार्यतनयान्तथा = भगिनीम् + आचार्य + तनयान् + तथा; स्वाञ्च = स्वाम् + च; गच्छंश् च = गच्छन् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 173.49-173.51 (expiations following the definition)
FAQs
It defines the technical dharma category “gurutalpaga”—a grave offender—by enumerating specific prohibited sexual relations treated as equivalent to violating the guru’s bed.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves Dharma-śāstra-style jurisprudence and moral taxonomy—classifying major offenses (pātakas) and their social-religious implications as part of its wide-ranging compendium.
The verse frames these acts as severe transgressions with heavy karmic consequence, marking them as major sins demanding serious expiation and reinforcing sanctity of kinship and the guru-disciple order.