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
സ്വയം ഭർത്താവിനെ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കുന്ന സ്ത്രീയെ രാജാവ് ശിക്ഷിക്കരുത്. എന്നാൽ ഉത്തമ സ്ത്രീയെ പ്രാപിക്കുന്ന നീചൻ വധശിക്ഷ അർഹിക്കുന്നു.
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.