Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 17
Ācāra
Right Conduct
नारोहेद्विषमान्नावन्न वृक्षं न च पर्वतं अर्थायतनशास्त्रेषु तथैव स्यात् कुतूहली
nārohedviṣamānnāvanna vṛkṣaṃ na ca parvataṃ arthāyatanaśāstreṣu tathaiva syāt kutūhalī
Jangan menaiki perahu yang tidak selamat, dan jangan memanjat pokok atau gunung. Demikian juga, dalam śāstra tentang kekayaan dan tata negara, hendaklah seseorang bersifat ingin tahu serta menilai dengan cermat.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Risk-avoidance and due diligence in travel and in matters of wealth/statecraft; cultivate cautious inquiry before committing resources or actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Prudence: Avoiding Unsafe Conveyances and Applying Discernment in Artha-śāstra","lookup_keywords":["viṣama-nāva","parvata-ārohaṇa","artha-śāstra","kautūhala","viveka"],"quick_summary":"Avoid physically risky actions (unsafe boat, climbing tree/mountain) as a model for prudence. In artha and governance matters, be inquisitive and discerning before acting."}
Alamkara Type: Drishtanta (illustrative analogy)
Concept: Viveka (discriminative caution) as a universal rule—physical safety mirrors fiscal/political prudence.
Application: Before investments, alliances, appointments, or journeys, assess hazards and seek clarifying information rather than acting impulsively.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Conduct, prudence, and practical ethics)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler refuses an unstable boat at a riverbank and avoids climbing a steep tree and mountain; beside them, a learned counselor studies artha-śāstra palm-leaves with an inquisitive gaze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, riverbank with a wobbling boat, a cautious traveler gesturing refusal, distant mountain and tree, a sage holding palm-leaf manuscript labeled artha-śāstra, earthy reds and greens, bold outlines, temple-mural composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central figure of a wise minister with palm-leaf manuscript, gold leaf halo-like ornamentation, vignette panels showing unsafe boat and steep mountain/tree as cautionary symbols, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tableau: three small panels (unsafe boat, tree climb, mountain climb) and a fourth panel of artha-śāstra study with questioning gesture, delicate lines, soft shading, clear didactic labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed river scene with unstable boat, court advisor in the foreground reading a manuscript, mountainous landscape in background, fine architectural border, naturalistic palette and intricate detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nārohet = na + ārohet; viṣamānnāvam = viṣamāt + nāvam; arthāyatanaśāstreṣu = artha-āyatana-śāstreṣu; tathaiva = tathā + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (Nīti/Sadācāra maxims)
FAQs
It teaches practical nīti: avoid physically hazardous undertakings and apply the same careful scrutiny and inquiry when engaging with artha-śāstra (wealth/statecraft) matters.
It links everyday safety (boats, trees, mountains) with artha-śāstra reasoning, showing how the Agni Purana blends practical life-instructions with governance and economic policy discourse.
Prudent restraint and discerning inquiry reduce harm (hiṃsā) and negligence (pramāda), supporting dharmic living by preventing avoidable injury and reckless conduct.