Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 54
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
प्रलिम्पन्निव चेतांसि दृष्ट्वासाधु पिबन्निव ग्रसन्निवामृतं साम प्रयुञ्जीत प्रियं वचः
pralimpanniva cetāṃsi dṛṣṭvāsādhu pibanniva grasannivāmṛtaṃ sāma prayuñjīta priyaṃ vacaḥ
Наблюдая умы, словно они измазаны (страстью или омрачением), и видя злодея, будто он пьёт вредоносное, следует применять примирение — приятную речь, подобную вкушению амриты, нектара.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating the Agni Purana’s instructional sections to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"कठिन/विकृत मनःस्थिति वाले व्यक्ति के साथ भी ‘साम’—मधुर, प्रिय वचन—का प्रयोग कर शान्ति/वशता उत्पन्न करना।","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"साम-नीति में प्रियवचन: ‘अमृत-ग्रहण’ उपमा","lookup_keywords":["साम","प्रियं वचः","अमृत","दृष्ट्वासाधु","चेतांसि"],"quick_summary":"जब मन मलिन/लिप्त दिखे और दुष्ट व्यक्ति हानिकर ‘पान’ करता प्रतीत हो, तब भी साम-नीति के रूप में प्रिय वचन ऐसे प्रयोग करें जैसे अमृत का ग्रास—शमनकारी और हितकर।"}
Alamkara Type: Upama (इव-प्रयोग), Rupaka-सदृश भावचित्र
Concept: वाणी-साधना: प्रियवचन द्वारा चित्त-शुद्धि/शमन और सामाजिक समन्वय।
Application: संघर्ष-प्रबन्धन, कूटनीति, परामर्श—पहले ‘soft power’ (साम) का प्रयोग।
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya-shastra: Niti and sweet speech in literary/ethical instruction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"एक मंत्री/गुरु क्रुद्ध/दुष्ट व्यक्ति के सामने शांत मुद्रा में मधुर वचन कह रहा है; ‘अमृत’ का प्रतीक (कलश/बूंद) वाणी के साथ दर्शाया गया है।","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two figures in profile, one agitated with darkened aura, the other serene speaking gentle words, stylized amrita pot motif near speech, warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, counselor with gold-highlighted halo-like arch, offering a scroll of sweet speech, amrita kalasha with gold work, subdued villain figure softened","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework, didactic scene of negotiation, speech ribbon with ‘प्रियं वचः’, amrita imagery as metaphor, calm interior setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate court chamber, diplomat speaking softly to a sullen adversary, delicate depiction of a nectar cup as metaphor, detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रलिम्पन्निव = प्रलिम्पन् इव; दृष्ट्वासाधु = दृष्ट्वा असाधु; ग्रसन्निवामृतम् = ग्रसन् इव अमृतम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 240 (साम-नीति के प्रसंग)
FAQs
It teaches the technical upāya of Sāma—conciliation through gentle, pleasing speech—as a practical method of persuasion and conflict-management.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana includes applied disciplines like nīti (ethics) and statecraft; this verse preserves a core diplomatic tool (sāma) and its rhetorical application (priya-vacana).
Choosing pleasing, non-harmful speech helps restrain anger and hostility, supporting dharma through self-control and reducing negative karmic outcomes caused by harsh words.