Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 41
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
अदण्ड्या स्त्री भवेद्राज्ञा वरयन्तो पतिं स्वयं उत्तमां सेवमानः स्त्री जघन्यो बधमर्हति
adaṇḍyā strī bhavedrājñā varayanto patiṃ svayaṃ uttamāṃ sevamānaḥ strī jaghanyo badhamarhati
A woman is not to be punished by the king when she herself chooses her husband. But a man of the lowest sort who approaches a woman of high status is deserving of execution.
Agni (in instruction to the listener/recipient of the Purāṇic teaching)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Legal-ethical rule distinguishing non-punishability of a woman in svayaṃvara/choice-marriage context from severe sanction against socially transgressive predation by a low-status man toward a high-status woman (as framed by the text).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Daṇḍa limits in marriage-choice; penalty for illicit approach across protected status","lookup_keywords":["adandya strī","svayaṃvara","uttamā strī","jaghanya puruṣa","vadha-arhatā"],"quick_summary":"The verse exempts a woman from royal punishment when she chooses her husband herself; it prescribes the harshest penalty for a base man who illicitly approaches a woman of high standing, emphasizing protection of social order as conceived in rājadharma."}
Concept: Daṇḍa is framed as protecting consent/choice in marriage on one side and enforcing social boundaries on the other.
Application: In textual-historical study of rājadharma, map how consent, status, and punishment are linked; in governance ethics, separate consent-based union from coercive/illicit approach.
Khanda Section: Rāja-dharma & Nīti-śāstra (Kingship, Governance, and Ethics)
Primary Rasa: dharma
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A svayaṃvara hall where a woman garlands her chosen husband while the king refrains from punishing her; in contrast, guards seize a disreputable man attempting an illicit approach toward a high-status woman under protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, svayaṃvara pavilion with ornate lamps, woman placing garland, king seated as witness, separate vignette of guards restraining an offender, stylized faces and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf on svayaṃvara mandapa pillars, richly dressed couple, king with gesture of assent, offender subdued at the edge, jewel-toned palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined courtly scene emphasizing legal distinction: calm svayaṃvara choice contrasted with a clearly marked ‘offence’ scene, delicate ornamentation and narrative clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed palace interior, garlanding ceremony with musicians, side scene of arrest, realistic textiles and court etiquette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेद्राज्ञा → भवेत् + राज्ञा ; बधमर्हति → बधम् + अर्हति
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (women, marriage, penalties context)
FAQs
It states that a woman is not punishable by the king when she chooses her husband herself (svayam).
A man described as strī-jaghanya (“the most base/lowest sort”) who approaches or engages with a woman of “uttamā” (higher status) is said to deserve death.