Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 39
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
गृहक्षेत्रापहर्तारं तथा पत्न्यभिगामिनं अग्निदं गरदं हन्यात्तथा चाभ्युद्यतायुधं
gṛhakṣetrāpahartāraṃ tathā patnyabhigāminaṃ agnidaṃ garadaṃ hanyāttathā cābhyudyatāyudhaṃ
ଗୃହ ଓ କ୍ଷେତ୍ର ଅପହରଣକାରୀ, ପରସ୍ତ୍ରୀଗାମୀ, ଅଗ୍ନି ସଂଯୋଗକାରୀ, ବିଷଦାତା ଏବଂ ଅସ୍ତ୍ର ଉତ୍ତୋଳନକାରୀକୁ ବଧ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍।
Lord Agni (narrating rājadharma/daṇḍanīti to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Defines capital-liable violent crimes (robbery of house/land, adultery/sexual violation, arson, poisoning, armed assault) for deterrence and swift royal response.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Atatāyin-like offenders warranting slaying: robber, violator, arsonist, poisoner, armed assailant","lookup_keywords":["gṛha-kṣetra-apahāra","patny-abhigamana","agnida","garada","abhyudyata-āyudha"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates high-threat offenders—property usurpers, sexual violators, arsonists, poisoners, and those raising weapons—who may be lawfully slain to protect society."}
Weapon Type: Sword
Concept: Protection of life, household, and social trust justifies extreme sanction against predatory violence.
Application: Codify and prioritize enforcement against crimes with high externalities (fire, poison, armed assault).
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Daṇḍanīti (Law, governance, and punishments)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A king’s officers confront multiple criminals: a land-grabber being seized near boundary stones, an arsonist with a torch, a poisoner with a vial, and an armed attacker raising a sword; justice is administered to protect the town.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, fortified town backdrop, stylized flames near a hut, poisoner shown with small pot, guards with shields, king seated in judgment, bold outlines and ritualized gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-work on royal throne and weapons, dramatic depiction of torch and sword, criminals in distinct poses, symmetrical court composition emphasizing royal authority.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic labeling through visual cues: boundary markers for land theft, torch for arson, vial for poison, raised weapon for assault; refined faces and controlled drama.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling street with detailed architecture, officers arresting offenders in separate corners, realistic firelight, fine textiles, court scribe noting charges."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्न्यभिगामिनं → पत्नी + अभिगामिनम् ; हन्यात्तथा → हन्यात् + तथा ; चाभ्युद्यतायुधं → च + अभ्युद्यतायुधम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (daṇḍanīti sequence)
FAQs
Daṇḍanīti (legal doctrine) identifying “atatāyins” (violent felons) for whom immediate lethal force is permitted—robber of home/land, violator of another’s wife, arsonist, poisoner, and an assailant with weapon raised.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a dharma-and-governance manual: beyond myths and rituals, it codifies criminal categories and practical rules of statecraft and personal protection within rājadharma/daṇḍanīti.
By treating these offenders as atatāyins, the text frames their stopping—even by killing—as a dharmic act of protection rather than a sinful homicide, emphasizing defense of society, family order, and property.