Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 24
Adhyāya 361 — अव्ययवर्गः
Avyaya-vargaḥ) — The Section on Indeclinables (Colophon/Closure
मृगयाक्षो दिवास्वप्नः परिवादः स्त्रियो मदः तौर्यत्रिकं वृथाट्या च कामजो दशको गणः
mṛgayākṣo divāsvapnaḥ parivādaḥ striyo madaḥ tauryatrikaṃ vṛthāṭyā ca kāmajo daśako gaṇaḥ
Berburu, kecanduan judi dadu, tidur di siang hari, fitnah, pemanjaan nafsu pada perempuan, mabuk, tiga serangkai seni (nyanyian, musik, dan tari), serta berkeliaran tanpa tujuan—itulah sepuluh cela yang lahir dari nafsu keinginan.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma/nīti section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"For rulers/administrators: identify and curb kāma-born addictions in oneself, ministers, and citizens through regulation, discipline, and counsel to prevent loss of wealth, reputation, and state stability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kāmaja-vyasanāni (Vices born of desire)","lookup_keywords":["kāmaja vyasana","rājadharma","nīti","daśaka gaṇa","vices of desire"],"quick_summary":"A tenfold checklist of desire-driven vices (e.g., hunting, gambling, intoxication, sensuality) used in rājadharma to diagnose moral and administrative decline and prescribe restraint."}
Concept: Kāma, when ungoverned, becomes vyasana (addictive vice) that erodes dharma and artha; restraint is a royal and personal duty.
Application: Adopt personal vows and institutional checks: limit intoxicants, regulate gambling/entertainment, enforce work-rest rhythms, and cultivate counsel (mantra) to prevent relapse.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Ethics: kāmaja-vyasanāni—vices born of desire)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic court scene where a wise minister enumerates ten desire-born vices to a king; vignettes show hunting, dice, day-sleep, slander, sensual indulgence, intoxication, music-dance, and aimless roaming.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a crowned king seated in sabhā with a minister pointing to a palm-leaf list; surrounding small narrative panels of hunting in forest, dice game, a man sleeping at noon, gossiping courtiers, wine cup, dancers and musicians; traditional ornaments, lotus motifs, warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central enthroned king and guru-minister holding a manuscript titled 'kāmaja vyasanāni'; gilded arches and halo, inset medallions depicting dice, wine, dancers, hunter with bow; rich reds, embossed jewelry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading; instructional tableau with labeled mini-scenes for each vice; court interior with pillars, calm teacherly minister, restrained palette and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court assembly with Persianate architecture; marginal miniatures illustrating hunting party, gambling, musicians, intoxication; fine textiles, realistic faces, delicate foliage and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वृथाट्या → वृथा + अट्या; other words mostly in compound form without external sandhi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rajadharma/Nīti sections on arishadvarga (inner enemies) and vyasana classification; Agni Purana: Mokṣadharma passages on indriya-nigraha (sense-control)
FAQs
It delivers nīti-śāstra guidance by enumerating the kāmaja-vyasanāni—ten desire-born habits a ruler or householder should restrain to preserve judgment, wealth, and social order.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical governance and ethics; this verse functions like a dharma/nīti manual by classifying personal vices that undermine administration and discipline.
Curbing desire-driven addictions is presented as self-purification: it reduces harm (hiṃsā), false speech, and loss of restraint, thereby supporting dharma and generating steadier, more sattvic karma.