Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 26
Ācāra
Right Conduct
प्रभोरप्यवमनं खद्गोपयेद्वचनं बुधः इन्द्रियाणां नानुकूली वेदरोधं न कारयेत्
prabhorapyavamanaṃ khadgopayedvacanaṃ budhaḥ indriyāṇāṃ nānukūlī vedarodhaṃ na kārayet
Bahkan bila seorang tuan mengucapkan kata-kata yang merendahkan, orang bijak hendaknya menyembunyikannya seperti pedang yang disarungkan. Demi menyenangkan indria, janganlah menimbulkan halangan terhadap Weda dan kewajiban Weda.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical frame of the Agni Purana’s rajadharma sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Courtly prudence and dharmic restraint: do not publicize a ruler’s contemptuous words; do not compromise Vedic duty for sensory gratification or expediency.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nīti: concealment of insult and non-obstruction of Veda","lookup_keywords":["prabhu-avamanana","khadga-upama","veda-rodha","indriya-anukuli","buddha-niti"],"quick_summary":"A wise person contains damaging speech like a sheathed sword, preserving social order; and refuses policies/actions that hinder Vedic obligations merely to please the senses."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā (simile: concealing contempt like sheathing a sword)
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Self-restraint in speech and unwavering support of Vedic order over sense-driven convenience.
Application: In leadership and workplaces: do not amplify contempt or insults; avoid decisions that undermine core ethical/religious duties for short-term pleasure.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Niti-shastra / Governance and Ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a royal court, a minister hears a harsh remark from the king but keeps composure; beside him a sword is shown being calmly sheathed, symbolizing restraint; a Vedic altar or manuscript signifies non-obstruction of Veda.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized royal court with minister in composed posture, prominent sheathing-sword gesture, small yajña-vedi or palm-leaf Veda motif in background, strong outlines and traditional colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded court scene with ornate throne, minister holding a sheathed sword, gold work on weapons and jewelry, a small Vedic manuscript/altar icon indicating ‘veda-rodha na kārya’","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic nīti tableau: left—king speaks contempt, minister ‘sheathes’ the moment; right—minister protects Vedic rite from interruption; fine linework and calm expressions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with nuanced facial expressions, minister discreetly turning away from gossip, close-up of sword being sheathed, background scholars with manuscripts indicating Vedic continuity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prabhoḥ + api → prabhorapi; upayed + vacanam → upayedvacanam (sandhi). Reading 'khaḍgopayet' is textually unclear; treated as a single verbal form per given IAST.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma/Nīti chapters on speech, counsel, and restraint; Agni Purana: Dharma/ācāra passages on Veda authority
FAQs
Nīti-vidyā (ethical governance): restraint in reacting to a superior’s harsh words, and strict avoidance of actions that hinder Vedic dharma for the sake of sense-gratification.
It exemplifies the text’s rajadharma/nīti layer—practical social and administrative ethics—alongside its ritual, cosmological, and technical compendia, showing the Purana’s coverage of conduct, law-like norms, and dharma-preservation.
Concealing reactive speech prevents harm and demerit born of anger, while not obstructing Vedic duty preserves dharma; together they support purity of conduct and favorable karmic outcomes.