Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 6
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
चुम्बिता मार्ष्टि वदनं दत्तन्न बहु मन्यते स्वपित्यादौ प्रसुप्तापि तथा पश्चाद्विबुध्यते
cumbitā mārṣṭi vadanaṃ dattanna bahu manyate svapityādau prasuptāpi tathā paścādvibudhyate
口づけされると彼女は顔をぬぐい、食を与えられてもさほど重んじない。初めは眠っているかのように見えるが、のちに目覚めて注意深くなる。
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Diagnosing a heroine’s (nāyikā) inner disposition from outward gestures for use in kavya/nāṭya depiction and for prudent interpersonal conduct in household life.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Virakti-lakṣaṇa in strī (signs of aversion/withdrawal)","lookup_keywords":["virakti","nāyikā-lakṣaṇa","cumbita-mārjana","anna-anādara","supta-vibodha"],"quick_summary":"Aversion is inferred when affection-signs are rejected (wiping after a kiss, undervaluing gifts/food) and attention returns only later; poets and householders read such cues to avoid forcing intimacy."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā/Anubhāva-varṇana (behavioral markers as poetic signs)
Concept: Respecting consent and reading relational signals; restraint when affection is not reciprocated.
Application: In household ethics and social dealings, avoid insistence; respond with patience, dialogue, and propriety rather than coercion.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Gṛhya-dharma (Conduct, household ethics, interpersonal duties)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A woman, after being kissed, discreetly wipes her face; when offered food she shows indifference; she appears asleep but later opens her eyes and becomes attentive.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, elegant nāyikā in traditional attire wiping her face after a kiss, a plate of food offered nearby, interior household setting, expressive eyes, ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich textiles and jewelry, gold leaf highlights, seated nāyikā turning slightly away while wiping her face, ornate plate of offerings, palace chamber, stylized lotuses.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading, instructional emphasis on gesture: hand wiping cheek, food plate ignored, eyes half-closed then awakening, minimal background with architectural frame.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detail, intimate chamber scene, attendant offering food, nāyikā wiping face and looking away, later awakening shown as a secondary vignette, patterned carpets and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दत्तन्न → दत्तम् + न; स्वपित्यादौ → स्वपिति + आदौ; प्रसुप्तापि → प्रसुप्ता + अपि; पश्चाद्विबुध्यते → पश्चात् + विबुध्यते
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (Sāhitya: nāyaka–nāyikā-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
This verse conveys practical nīti (behavioral observation) relevant to household life—how outward reactions (wiping the face after a kiss, indifference to offered food, seeming sleep) can indicate reserve, displeasure, or delayed responsiveness.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana includes nīti and social conduct. This verse exemplifies its broad scope by recording concise behavioral maxims used in domestic and ethical instruction.
By encouraging discernment and appropriate conduct in relationships, it supports dharma in household life—reducing harm, misunderstanding, and unethical behavior, which is presented in Purāṇic literature as karmically beneficial.