Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 4
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
उवाह शिविक्रामस्य क्षत्तुर्वचनचोदितः गृहीतो विष्टिना ज्ञानी उवाहात्मक्षयाय तं
uvāha śivikrāmasya kṣatturvacanacoditaḥ gṛhīto viṣṭinā jñānī uvāhātmakṣayāya taṃ
କ୍ଷତ୍ତାଙ୍କ ଆଦେଶରେ ପ୍ରେରିତ ହୋଇ ସେହି ଜ୍ଞାନୀ ଶିବିକ୍ରାମାଙ୍କ ପାଳଙ୍କି ବହନ କଲା। ବିଷ୍ଟି (ବାଧ୍ୟତାମୂଳକ ଶ୍ରମ) ଦ୍ୱାରା ଧରାପଡ଼ି ସେ ତାହା ବୋହିଲା—ଯାହା ତାହାର ନିଜ କ୍ଷୟର କାରଣ ହେଲା।
Lord Agni (narrating to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame; chapter-level attribution)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Condemns coercive corvée (viṣṭi) and warns that compelling the wise/innocent into degrading labor produces moral and practical ruin—both for victim and polity.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Viṣṭi (forced labour) imposed on a jñānī—palanquin-bearing and moral downfall","lookup_keywords":["viṣṭi","śivikā","forced labour","jñānī","rājasevā"],"quick_summary":"A wise man is compelled by an official order to carry a palanquin; the episode illustrates the adharma of coercion and the destructive consequences of abusing authority."}
Alamkara Type: Śleṣa potential in 'ātma-kṣaya' (ruin of self) as both bodily harm and worldly downfall; narrative dhvani of adharma.
Concept: Adharma of coercion (viṣṭi) and the fragility of embodied life; even the wise may suffer under unjust systems, urging righteous governance.
Application: For rulers/officials: prohibit forced labor, ensure consent and fair duty allocation; for individuals: maintain inner steadiness while seeking dharmic redress.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-Purana Narratives (Dharma, Royal Service, and Moral Causality)
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a royal procession route, a palanquin (śivikā) is lifted; the chamberlain orders the wise man into the bearer line; the jñānī, compelled, shoulders the pole, showing strain and impending calamity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession with stylized palanquin, bearers in rhythmic line, kṣattā commanding with raised hand, jñānī forced into service, dramatic but flat composition, deep reds and browns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate palanquin with gold detailing, bearers in bright garments, the jñānī with subdued halo and sorrowful calm, heavy gold borders emphasizing the weight of injustice.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of palanquin mechanics—poles, bearer positions—didactic scene of coercion, refined faces showing command vs resignation, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling street procession with attendants, palanquin textiles, chamberlain’s authoritative posture, the compelled ascetic among bearers, fine architectural background and crowd detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣatturvacanacoditaḥ → kṣattuḥ + vacana-coditaḥ; viṣṭinā jñānī (no sandhi); uvāhātmakṣayāya → uvāha + ātmakṣayāya
Related Themes: Agni Purana: rājadharma passages on protection of subjects and restraint of officials; Agni Purana: narrative exempla used to teach dharma in mokṣa/dharma sections
FAQs
The verse conveys socio-administrative knowledge: viṣṭi (corvée/forced labour) and how royal command can compel service, highlighting its harmful consequence.
It preserves a governance-related term (viṣṭi) and depicts courtly hierarchy (kṣattṛ), reflecting the Agni Purana’s coverage of social order, administration, and dharma beyond purely ritual topics.
It warns that coercive or degrading compulsion in service can become a cause of one’s downfall, implying a dharmic caution about actions that lead to self-harm and adverse karmic results.