Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 38
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
ब्राह्मणः शाकधान्यादि अल्पं गृह्णन्न दोषभाक् गोदेवार्थं हरंश्चापि हन्याद्दुष्टं बधीद्यतं
brāhmaṇaḥ śākadhānyādi alpaṃ gṛhṇanna doṣabhāk godevārthaṃ haraṃścāpi hanyādduṣṭaṃ badhīdyataṃ
ബ്രാഹ്മണൻ പച്ചക്കറികൾ, ധാന്യം മുതലായവ അല്പം എടുത്താൽ കുറ്റക്കാരനല്ല. പശുക്കൾക്കും ദേവന്മാർക്കും വേണ്ടി എടുക്കുമ്പോൾ അവന് ദുഷ്ടനെ വധിക്കാം.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for adjudicating minor appropriation in distress and legitimizing protective force for dharmic ends (cow-protection, deity-service) while restraining imminent wrongdoing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Anāpatti in minor taking; dharmic protection and restraint of wrongdoers","lookup_keywords":["brāhmaṇa anāpatti","alpagrahaṇa śāka-dhānya","go-deva-artha","duṣṭa-vadha","baddhya-yatna"],"quick_summary":"Minor taking of vegetables/grain by a brāhmaṇa (in limited measure) is treated as non-culpable; force, including lethal force, is permitted against a wicked aggressor and binding is allowed to prevent intended wrongdoing, especially for cow-and-deity purposes."}
Concept: Dharma permits limited exceptions and calibrated force when protecting sacred/social order (go-deva, prevention of harm).
Application: In governance and community ethics, distinguish petty necessity from theft, and authorize restraint/force to stop imminent harm.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Nyāya (Law, Duties, and Penal/Protective Ethics)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: dharma
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village-judicial scene: a brāhmaṇa taking a small measure of grain/vegetables for a cow-shed and temple offering; nearby, guards bind a would-be wrongdoer while a wicked aggressor is struck down to protect cows and sacred goods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple courtyard with cows and a small shrine lamp, brāhmaṇa holding a small basket of grain, royal guards binding a culprit, vivid flat colors, ornate borders, dignified expressions, dharmic justice theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on temple arch and cow ornaments, central brāhmaṇa with modest grain measure, king’s officer restraining a criminal, rich reds and greens, iconic frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing measured quantity of grain and legal restraint (rope/bandhana), calm but stern officials, subtle shading, instructional emphasis on ‘alpam’ and ‘bandhana’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed rural granary and cow-pen, court officer recording the case, one aggressor subdued, delicate textiles and architecture, narrative realism with multiple vignettes in one frame."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गृह्णन्न → गृह्णन् (शतृ) ; हरंश्चापि → हरन् + च + अपि ; हन्याद्दुष्टं → हन्यात् + दुष्टम् ; बधीद्यतं → बधीत् + यतम् (पाठभेद/सन्धि-सम्भवः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Rājadharma/Daṇḍanīti context)
FAQs
It states a dharma-based exception: minimal taking of basic foodstuffs is not blameworthy for a brāhmaṇa, and protective action—including restraining or even killing a violent wrongdoer—is permitted when safeguarding religious interests such as cows and divine worship.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical legal-ethical norms (rājadharma/nyāya): rules of culpability, permissible exceptions, and protective use of force—showing its broad coverage of governance and social order.
The verse frames intent and context as karmically decisive: limited taking for sustenance or for sacred protection is not sinful, and force used to prevent adharma—especially threats to cows and worship—is treated as duty rather than transgression.