Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 23
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
उचितानुविधायित्वमिति वृत्तं महात्मनां
ucitānuvidhāyitvamiti vṛttaṃ mahātmanāṃ
“ປະພຶດຕາມສິ່ງທີ່ສົມຄວນ”—ນີ້ແມ່ນຈັກກະລັກແຫ່ງຄວາມປະພຶດຂອງຜູ້ມີໃຈໃຫຍ່।
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s standard narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"A compact definition usable in ethics and literary discourse: the hallmark of the great is propriety (aucitya) guiding action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aucitya-anuvṛtti (Propriety as the conduct of the great)","lookup_keywords":["aucitya","ucitānuvidhāyitva","mahātman","vṛtta","nīti-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Great-souled conduct is defined as acting in accordance with what is proper—context-sensitive propriety in word and deed."}
Concept: Aucitya as practical wisdom: right action depends on context, role, time, place, and relationship.
Application: Before acting/speaking, test for aucitya: suitability to dharma, occasion, audience, and consequences; use as a standard in leadership and writing.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-śāstra / Nīti-lakṣaṇa: conduct-ideals in literary/ethical discourse)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mahātman chooses the fitting action in varied situations—speaking appropriately, giving appropriately, and restraining appropriately—symbolizing aucitya as a guiding compass.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central wise figure with calm eyes holding a palm-leaf manuscript, surrounding small scenes of appropriate conduct in different contexts, decorative circular composition, traditional color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed arch: the great-souled figure seated, gesture of teaching, small medallions around showing ‘proper action’ in court, home, and temple; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: a teacher points to a wheel labeled ‘aucitya’ with spokes (deśa-kāla-pātra), neat linework and soft washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined salon: a sage advises nobles on propriety; multiple attendants in different roles; subtle expressions emphasizing discernment and restraint."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ucita-anuvidhāyitvam iti → ucitānuvidhāyitvamiti (a + a → ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 237 (nīti-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana sections on kāvya/alaṃkāra (general)
FAQs
It imparts nīti-vidyā (ethical discipline): the practical rule that a mahātma’s hallmark is consistently choosing and performing what is ucita—socially, morally, and contextually appropriate.
Alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and aesthetics, the Agni Purana also codifies character-ideals; this verse functions as a concise lakṣaṇa (definition) of noble conduct, showing the text’s broad coverage of dharma and human behavior.
Aligning one’s actions with ucita supports dharmic karma—reducing harm, preventing impropriety (anucita), and cultivating sattvic character, which is traditionally linked with merit (puṇya) and inner purification.