Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 12
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
असमानं द्वितीयेन धर्मराजवचो यथा देशान्तरस्थः श्रुत्वा तु कुल्याणां मरणोद्भवौ
asamānaṃ dvitīyena dharmarājavaco yathā deśāntarasthaḥ śrutvā tu kulyāṇāṃ maraṇodbhavau
Janganlah, sebagai pihak kedua, menegakkan suatu perkara yang tidak setara untuk menentang yang setara—demikianlah titah Raja Dharma. Bahkan seseorang yang berada di negeri lain, apabila mendengar tentang kematian dan akibatnya dalam kalangan kaum kerabat, hendaklah bertindak menurut dharma.
Lord Agni (narrating dharma/rajadharma material in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for fair procedure in disputes/testimony (not setting unequal support against an equal) and dharma-duty of kinsmen even when residing abroad upon hearing of a death.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Procedural fairness (asamatva) and dharma-duty across distance after kin-death","lookup_keywords":["asamana","dvitīya","dharma-rāja-vacana","deśāntara","kula mṛtyu"],"quick_summary":"Dharma requires procedural parity—do not oppose an equal with an unequal secondary support; even those living in another land must respond appropriately on hearing of a kinsman’s death and its obligations."}
Concept: Dharma is grounded in fairness (samatā/nyāya) and continuing obligation (ṛṇa) to kin and rites, irrespective of one’s location.
Application: In legal/communal decisions maintain parity of standing; in bereavement, communicate and participate (or authorize/arrange) required rites even when away.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dharma-shastra (Governance, legal-ethical counsel)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-court or council scene emphasizing parity: two parties of equal standing with balanced attendants; a messenger arrives from a distant land bringing news of a kinsman’s death, prompting duty-bound response.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: stylized sabhā with symmetrical arrangement, Dharma-judge figure holding palm-leaf; messenger at doorway with travel staff; restrained palette, emphasis on balance and order.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Dharma/kingly figure with gold halo-like ornamentation, two equal parties mirrored; distant traveler with scroll; rich gilded borders symbolizing authority of dharma.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic court tableau with clear hierarchy lines; inset panel of a traveler in another land receiving death news; fine detailing, calm instructional mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: imperial-style durbar with symmetrical composition, litigants of equal rank; courier entering with letter; architectural depth, delicate textiles, subdued solemnity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मराजवचो = धर्मराजवचः (visarga sandhi in recitation); देशान्तरस्थः = देशान्तर + स्थः; मरणोद्भवौ = मरण + उद्भवौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana rajadharma/nyāya-related adhyāyas (general); Agni Purana 157 (āśauca duties)
FAQs
It conveys rajadharma/legal-ethical guidance: do not bolster an unequal or improper claim by adding a ‘second’ support (e.g., witness/party) against fairness; and it alludes to dharmic obligations that arise upon hearing of a kinsman’s death, even from abroad.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves governance and jurisprudential norms—principles of fairness in adjudication and reminders of social-duty frameworks tied to family events like death.
Upholding fairness and responding appropriately to family-duty obligations are treated as dharmic acts that protect one’s merit (puṇya) and prevent the karmic fault incurred by injustice or neglect of prescribed duties.