Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 7
Adhyāya 379 — अद्वैतब्रह्मविज्ञानम्
Advaita-brahma-vijñāna
ब्राह्मण उवाच नाहं पीवान्न वैषोढा शिविका भवतो मया न श्रान्तो ऽस्मि न वायासो वोढव्यो ऽसि महीपते
brāhmaṇa uvāca nāhaṃ pīvānna vaiṣoḍhā śivikā bhavato mayā na śrānto 'smi na vāyāso voḍhavyo 'si mahīpate
ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਮੈਂ ਮਦਿਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੀਤੀ, ਨਾਂ ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਭਾਰ ਚੁੱਕਣ ਤੋਂ ਅਸਮਰਥ ਹਾਂ। ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਇਹ ਸ਼ਿਵਿਕਾ (ਪਾਲਕੀ) ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੀ ਚੁੱਕਣੀ ਹੈ। ਮੈਂ ਨਾ ਥੱਕਿਆ ਹਾਂ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਹਾਰਿਆ; ਹੇ ਮਹੀਪਤੇ, ਚੁੱਕੇ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਤਾਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੋ।
Brāhmaṇa (in the narrative dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethics of service and role-duty in hierarchical settings; introduces the rhetorical pivot that later supports self/other analysis.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sevaka-vākya: Duty, endurance, and the claim ‘you are to be carried’","lookup_keywords":["shivika","sevaka-dharma","shrama","raja-seva","niti-katha"],"quick_summary":"The bearer denies incapacity and asserts role-duty: the king is the one to be carried. Sets up reflection on agency and designation."}
Alamkara Type: Vyatireka
Concept: Svadharma of roles: the servant bears, the king is borne; endurance is framed as duty rather than personal pride.
Application: Clarify responsibilities in institutions; cultivate steadiness (dhairya) without resentment, while also hinting that ‘role’ is a convention.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-katha (Instruction to a king through dialogue)
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The brāhmaṇa-bearer replies firmly to the king, standing beside the palanquin, emphasizing duty and endurance; attendants watch in surprise.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines, the bearer with serene yet firm expression, king leaning forward from palanquin, attendants with widened eyes, stylized trees and procession elements","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold detailing on palanquin canopy, bearer in simple white with sacred thread, king’s gesture of questioning, symmetrical composition, ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined expressions, the bearer’s calm posture and raised hand in explanation, subtle background, emphasis on narrative clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate conversational scene, detailed textiles and turbans, nuanced facial expressions, palanquin and road rendered with perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāhaṃ = na + aham; pīvānna = pīvān + na; vaiṣoḍhā read as vā + eṣā + ūḍhā; śrānto 'smi = śrāntaḥ + asmi; vāyāso = vā + āyāsaḥ; voḍhavyo 'si = voḍhavyaḥ + asi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Nīti-kathā dialogues illustrating rāja-dharma and prajā-sevā (general); Agni Purana Nyāya/Vāda on vyavahāra (convention) leading into 379.10
FAQs
This verse imparts niti (ethical instruction) in a royal setting: the brāhmaṇa asserts competence and duty in bearing the king’s palanquin, emphasizing proper roles, discipline, and steadfastness in service without fatigue or negligence.
Alongside rituals, cosmology, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves rajadharma and practical governance ethics through instructive narratives—showing how social duty, authority, and conduct are taught via dialogue and exempla.
By stressing unwavering performance of one’s duty (svadharma) without complaint or impairment, the verse points to karmic purification through disciplined action and respect for rightful order, supporting both personal merit and social harmony.