Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 16
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
गृहे प्रच्छन्न उत्पन्नो गूढजस्तु सुतः स्मृतः कानीनः कन्यकाजातो मातामहसुतो मतः
gṛhe pracchanna utpanno gūḍhajastu sutaḥ smṛtaḥ kānīnaḥ kanyakājāto mātāmahasuto mataḥ
घर में गुप्त रूप से उत्पन्न पुत्र ‘गूढ़ज’ कहा गया है। अविवाहित कन्या से उत्पन्न पुत्र ‘कानीन’ कहलाता है और वह मातामह (नाना) का पुत्र माना जाता है।
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identifying gūḍhaja and kānīna sons and assigning guardianship/lineage affiliation (especially maternal grandfather) for inheritance and social status decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gūḍhaja and Kānīna: concealed-born and maiden-born sons","lookup_keywords":["gudhaja","kanina","pracchanna","kanyakajata","matamaha-suta"],"quick_summary":"Defines two special son-categories: the concealed-born within the house and the maiden-born, the latter being affiliated to the maternal grandfather for legal lineage purposes."}
Concept: Dharma attempts to regularize irregular births by assigning clear kinship and responsibility.
Application: Clarify custody, inheritance eligibility, and ritual affiliation to reduce social conflict and protect dependents.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Rajadharma (Social law: kinds of sons and lineage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A concealed birth within a household contrasted with a maiden giving birth; elders then formally accept the child into the maternal grandfather’s lineage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, narrative contrast: shadowed inner room indicating secrecy and a second scene with maternal grandfather receiving the child, bold outlines, expressive gestures, warm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, maternal grandfather seated with gold-ornamented backdrop, child presented with ritual welcome, secondary vignette of concealed birth hinted through architectural partition, rich gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic sequence: (1) concealed birth in house, (2) maiden-born child, (3) formal acceptance by maternal grandfather, fine linework and gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic interiors with detailed textiles, discreet depiction of secrecy via curtains and attendants, then formal reception scene with elders and gifts, nuanced facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गूढजस्तु = गूढ-जः तु; कन्यकाजातो = कन्यका-जातः; मातामहसुतो = माता-मह-सुतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (putrabheda definitions continuing)
FAQs
It gives Dharma-shastra technical definitions of two legal categories of sons—gūḍhaja (concealed-born) and kānīna (born of an unmarried girl)—used for determining lineage and related rights.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves social-juridical taxonomy (putra-bheda) drawn from Smṛti-style discourse, showing its coverage of governance, law, and inheritance norms.
By clarifying socially recognized lineage, it supports dharma-based order in family duties (pitṛ-kārya, maintenance, succession), reducing disputes and the karmic burden associated with adharma in household conduct.