Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 35
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
आदित्यचन्द्रावनिलो ऽनलश् च द्यौर्भूमिरापोहृदयं यमश् च अहश् च रात्रिश् च उभे च सन्ध्ये धर्मश् च जानाति नरस्य वृत्तम्
ādityacandrāvanilo 'nalaś ca dyaurbhūmirāpohṛdayaṃ yamaś ca ahaś ca rātriś ca ubhe ca sandhye dharmaś ca jānāti narasya vṛttam
सूर्य और चंद्रमा, वायु और अग्नि, आकाश, पृथ्वी, जल, अपना हृदय और यम; दिन और रात, दोनों संध्याएँ तथा स्वयं धर्म—ये सब मनुष्य के आचरण को जानते हैं।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical deterrence and oath-support in governance: reminding subjects and litigants that cosmic elements and inner conscience witness conduct, strengthening truthfulness in testimony and daily life.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Cosmic witnesses of conduct (sūrya-candra-vāyu-agni etc.)","lookup_keywords":["sākṣin","sūrya-candra","hṛdaya","yama","sandhyā"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists cosmic and moral witnesses—celestials, elements, time-joints, conscience, and Yama—asserting that no act is truly hidden, thereby grounding legal and ethical accountability."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa (phonetic cadence) and Samuccaya (accumulative listing)
Concept: Moral realism: the universe is structured as a witness-field; inner heart (hṛdaya) and Dharma itself function as inescapable testimony.
Application: Cultivating truthful speech and ethical behavior by daily recollection (especially at sandhyā) that actions are witnessed and bear consequences.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Niti (Ethics, Law, and Moral Surveillance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic tableau: a human figure at center, surrounded by Sun, Moon, Wind, Fire, Sky, Earth, Waters, Yama, and personified Day, Night, and the two Sandhyās, with Dharma as an overseeing presence—each ‘watching’ the person’s deeds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mandala-like arrangement around a central human figure, Sūrya and Candra as radiant discs with faces, Agni as stylized flame deity, Vāyu as flowing scarf-like currents, Yama with staff, Sandhyā figures at dawn/dusk hues, Dharma as serene crowned figure above, saturated reds/ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold halos for Sun/Moon/Dharma, ornate circular composition, central figure in humble posture, Yama and elemental deities placed symmetrically, gold detailing emphasizing ‘witness’ sanctity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined faces and soft gradients, diagrammatic clarity of each witness-deity labeled by attribute (flame for Agni, buffalo motif for Yama), dawn and dusk color bands framing the scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature allegorical court of the cosmos: personified Day and Night as attendants, Sun and Moon in the sky margin, Yama as a judge-like figure, the human subject in the center, delicate clouds and landscape for earth/waters, fine detailing and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आदित्यचन्द्रावनिलः = आदित्य-चन्द्र-अनिलः (द्वन्द्व); अनिलो 'नलः = अनिलः + अनलः; द्यौर्भूमिरापः = द्यौः + भूमिः + आपः; आपोहृदयम् = आपः + हृदयम्; अहश्च = अहः + च; रात्रिश्च = रात्रिः + च; धर्मश्च = धर्मः + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254.36 (oath context: truth invoked)
FAQs
It teaches a Nīti/Rājadharma principle: a person’s actions are never truly hidden—cosmic forces, time-cycles (day/night, sandhyā), Yama, and one’s own conscience function as continual witnesses, encouraging self-regulation and lawful conduct.
It integrates cosmology (sun, moon, elements, sky/earth/waters), theology (Yama, Dharma), and governance/ethics (accountability for conduct), showing how the Agni Purana links natural order and moral order into practical guidance.
It underscores karmic accountability: since Dharma and multiple witnesses “know” one’s deeds, ethical living and inner purity (hṛdaya as conscience) are essential for favorable karmic outcomes and avoidance of Yama’s punishment.