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
たとえ主君が侮りの言葉を発しても、賢者はそれを剣を鞘に納めるように秘しておくべきである。感官（インドリヤ）を喜ばせるために、ヴェーダ（Veda）—すなわちヴェーダ的義務と権威—を妨げてはならない。
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.