Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 50
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
गुरुतल्पे भयः कार्यः सुरापाणे सुराध्वजः स्तेयेषु श्वपदं विद्याद् ब्रह्महत्याशिरः पुमान्
gurutalpe bhayaḥ kāryaḥ surāpāṇe surādhvajaḥ steyeṣu śvapadaṃ vidyād brahmahatyāśiraḥ pumān
ଗୁରୁଶୟ୍ୟା ଲଂଘନରେ ‘ଭୟ’ ଚିହ୍ନ, ସୁରାପାନରେ ‘ସୁରାଧ୍ୱଜ’ (ମଦ୍ୟଧ୍ୱଜ); ଚୋରିରେ ‘ଶ୍ୱପଦ’ (ହିଂସ୍ର ପଶୁ) ଚିହ୍ନ ଜାଣିବା; ଏବଂ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣହନ୍ତା ‘ବ୍ରହ୍ମହତ୍ୟାଶିର’ ଧାରଣକାରୀ ପୁରୁଷ।
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Identification and social-legal marking of mahāpātakas (major sins) for deterrence and community recognition; outlines emblematic ‘marks’ associated with specific transgressions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Emblems/marks associated with major sins (mahāpātaka)","lookup_keywords":["mahapataka","gurutalpa","surapana","steya","brahmahatya"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists emblematic marks for major transgressions—guru-bed violation, liquor-drinking, theft, and brahmin-slaying—serving as a dharmic taxonomy for stigma, warning, and expiation frameworks."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Karma and social accountability: grave acts generate recognizable consequences and require expiation; dharma classifies transgressions to guide correction.
Application: Use clear ethical codes and graded sanctions; emphasize prevention and restitution/expiation pathways rather than concealment.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Prāyaścitta (Sin, expiation, and karmic consequences)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four emblematic figures representing major sins: one haunted by fear, one bearing a liquor-banner, one marked by a predatory beast, and one carrying a grim head-emblem of brahmahatyā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: allegorical tableau of four sinners with symbolic emblems, dramatic eyes, flat vivid colors, stylized fear aura, banner motif, beast emblem, head-emblem rendered iconically","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: four-panel composition with ornate gold borders; each figure frontal with clear emblem (dhvaja, beast sign, head emblem), rich jewelry contrasted with ominous symbols","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional allegory with labeled emblems, clean linework, subdued palette, emphasis on clarity of symbols and moral taxonomy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: allegorical court-illustration style, four figures in separate niches with detailed textiles; emblems painted with fine naturalistic detail and calligraphic captions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्महत्याशिरः = ब्रह्महत्या + शिरः (आ + शि → आशि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Prāyaścitta/mahāpātaka context)
FAQs
It enumerates the recognizable ‘signs/emblems’ associated with major sins (mahāpātakas)—guru-bed violation, liquor-drinking, theft, and brāhmaṇa-slaying—used in dharma/prāyaścitta contexts to diagnose moral fault and prescribe expiation.
Alongside ritual, cosmology, and polity, the Agni Purana also systematizes dharma-shastra material—classifying grave transgressions and their karmic markers—showing its wide-ranging, reference-like treatment of law and ethics.
The verse frames grave wrongdoing as carrying an unmistakable karmic stigma (liability and inner/outer affliction), urging recognition, restraint, and the pursuit of purification through appropriate expiation and moral repair.