Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
अहिंसा सूनृता वाणी सत्यं शौचं दया क्षमा वर्णिनां लिङ्गिनां चैव सामान्यो धर्म उच्यते
ahiṃsā sūnṛtā vāṇī satyaṃ śaucaṃ dayā kṣamā varṇināṃ liṅgināṃ caiva sāmānyo dharma ucyate
ಅಹಿಂಸೆ, ಸೌಮ್ಯವಾದ ಸತ್ಯವಾಣಿ, ಸತ್ಯ, ಶೌಚ, ದಯೆ, ಕ್ಷಮೆ—ಇವು ವರ್ಣಧಾರಿಗಳಿಗೂ ಲಿಂಗಧಾರಿಗಳಿಗೂ (ಸಂನ್ಯಾಸಚಿಹ್ನಧಾರಿಗಳಿಗೂ) ಸಮಾನವಾದ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಧರ್ಮವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Universal ethical checklist for daily conduct applicable to householders and renunciants; used for self-audit, vows, and community norms.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sāmānya-dharma: Universal Duties (Ahimsā, Satya, Śauca, Dayā, Kṣamā)","lookup_keywords":["sāmānya-dharma","ahiṃsā","sūnṛtā vāk","śauca","dayā kṣamā"],"quick_summary":"Defines a compact set of universal virtues binding on both social orders and renunciants. Practical takeaway: regulate harm, speech, truth, purity, compassion, and forgiveness as baseline dharma."}
Concept: Universality of core virtues beyond āśrama/varṇa distinctions; dharma as character (vṛtta) expressed through body, speech, and mind.
Application: Adopt as daily vrata: non-harm in action, truthful-kind speech, inner/outer cleanliness, compassion in decisions, forgiveness in conflict.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Sāmānya-dharma (Ethics and Universal Duties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm assembly where a teacher enumerates universal virtues to both a householder (with sacred thread) and an ascetic (with staff and ochre cloth), emphasizing non-violence and gentle truthful speech.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a rishi seated on a low pedestal teaching sāmānya-dharma to a gṛhastha with yajñopavīta and a sannyāsin with daṇḍa; gestures of blessing, serene faces, minimal background with lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central rishi with halo and gold leaf detailing, two disciples (householder and renunciant) on either side, inscriptions of ahiṃsā satya śauca dayā kṣamā, rich reds and greens, ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional tableau with labeled virtues in Devanagari panels, teacher pointing to a list, subdued pastel background, emphasis on clarity and didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet ascetic setting, a sage instructing two figures of different stations, delicate flora border, precise facial expressions showing gentleness and restraint, calligraphic cartouche with the virtue list."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; पदसूची में समुच्चयार्थे अनेक प्रथमा-पदानि (अहिंसा…क्षमा) ‘सामान्यः धर्मः’ इति विधेय-समूहः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Sāmānya-dharma / Sadācāra sections in the same adhyāya; Agni Purana: Vrata and dāna chapters (ethical foundations)
FAQs
It imparts sāmānya-dharma: universally applicable ethical disciplines—non-violence, truthful-gentle speech, purity, compassion, and forgiveness—meant to be practiced regardless of life-stage or religious status.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purana also systematizes dharma-shastra. This verse functions as a concise ethical “index” defining baseline conduct shared by both householders (varṇins) and renunciants (liṅgins).
These virtues purify intention, speech, and action, reducing harmful karma and supporting inner clarity (śauca) and merit (puṇya), making spiritual practice effective for both worldly and renunciant paths.