Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 41
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
स्वकीया परकीया च पुनर्भूरिति कौशिकाः सामान्या न पुनर्भूरिरित्याद्या बहुभेदतः
svakīyā parakīyā ca punarbhūriti kauśikāḥ sāmānyā na punarbhūrirityādyā bahubhedataḥ
କୌଶିକ-ମତର ଆଚାର୍ଯ୍ୟମାନେ ବହୁ ଉପଭେଦ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରନ୍ତି—‘ସ୍ୱକୀୟା’ (ନିଜ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ), ‘ପରକୀୟା’ (ଅନ୍ୟର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ), ‘ପୁନର୍ଭୂ’ (ପୁନର୍ବିବାହିତା), ‘ସାମାନ୍ୟା’ (ସାଧାରଣା), ‘ନ ପୁନର୍ଭୂ’ (ଯେ ପୁନର୍ଭୂ ନୁହେଁ) ଇତ୍ୟାଦି।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clarify social/legal categories of women (wife, another’s wife, remarried, common woman, etc.) for determining dharma, marital propriety, and narrative propriety in śāstra and kāvya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Strī-bheda (Categories of women in dharma discourse)","lookup_keywords":["svakīyā","parakīyā","punarbhū","sāmānyā","kauśika"],"quick_summary":"Authorities (Kauśikas) enumerate multiple classifications of women—especially in relation to marriage and sexual propriety—used to decide what is permitted, censured, or contextually defined."}
Concept: Dharma discourse relies on precise categories (saṃjñā-bheda) to adjudicate conduct; relational status changes ethical valuation.
Application: In legal/ritual decisions (and in dramaturgy), first determine the woman’s category (svakīyā/parakīyā/punarbhū etc.) before judging actions, permissions, or transgressions.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Stri-dharma (Marriage law and classifications of women)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-assembly where a jurist-teacher explains categories: a lawful wife beside husband, a veiled ‘another’s wife’ at a distance, a remarried woman with new household symbols, and a ‘common woman’ in marketplace setting—shown as conceptual vignettes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, didactic panel with a seated dharma-ācārya; four small narrative compartments illustrating svakīyā, parakīyā, punarbhū, sāmānyā with restrained, dignified expressions; traditional borders and muted earth tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-framed medallions for each category; central dharma-ācārya with manuscript; rich textiles, symbolic household items (mangala-sūtra, water-pot, doorway threshold) rendered with gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional layout; labeled figures and household contexts; emphasis on clarity and decorum, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court qazi-like scholar explaining; marginal vignettes of domestic scenes and a bazaar; delicate architectural interiors, subdued palette, narrative clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनर्भूरिति → पुनर्भूः + इति; पुनर्भूरिरित्याद्या → पुनर्भूः + इति + आद्याः (इत्याद्या = इति + आद्याः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338.38; Agni Purana 338.39; Agni Purana 338.40
FAQs
It transmits dharma-śāstra taxonomy—technical legal categories (svakīyā, parakīyā, punarbhū, etc.) used to determine marital status, eligibility, and related duties or prohibitions.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves juridical/social knowledge from smṛti traditions—here, a detailed legal classification system for women and marriage relations.
By distinguishing lawful from unlawful relations and clarifying remarriage categories, it supports dharmic conduct, which is presented as a basis for moral purity and favorable karmic outcomes.