Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 16
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
गृहे प्रच्छन्न उत्पन्नो गूढजस्तु सुतः स्मृतः कानीनः कन्यकाजातो मातामहसुतो मतः
gṛhe pracchanna utpanno gūḍhajastu sutaḥ smṛtaḥ kānīnaḥ kanyakājāto mātāmahasuto mataḥ
Сын, тайно рождённый в доме, помнится как гудхаджа (gūḍhaja), «скрытнорождённый». Сын, рождённый от незамужней девушки, называется канина (kānīna) и считается сыном деда по матери.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Identifying gūḍhaja and kānīna sons and assigning guardianship/lineage affiliation (especially maternal grandfather) for inheritance and social status decisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gūḍhaja and Kānīna: concealed-born and maiden-born sons","lookup_keywords":["gudhaja","kanina","pracchanna","kanyakajata","matamaha-suta"],"quick_summary":"Defines two special son-categories: the concealed-born within the house and the maiden-born, the latter being affiliated to the maternal grandfather for legal lineage purposes."}
Concept: Dharma attempts to regularize irregular births by assigning clear kinship and responsibility.
Application: Clarify custody, inheritance eligibility, and ritual affiliation to reduce social conflict and protect dependents.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Rajadharma (Social law: kinds of sons and lineage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A concealed birth within a household contrasted with a maiden giving birth; elders then formally accept the child into the maternal grandfather’s lineage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, narrative contrast: shadowed inner room indicating secrecy and a second scene with maternal grandfather receiving the child, bold outlines, expressive gestures, warm palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, maternal grandfather seated with gold-ornamented backdrop, child presented with ritual welcome, secondary vignette of concealed birth hinted through architectural partition, rich gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic sequence: (1) concealed birth in house, (2) maiden-born child, (3) formal acceptance by maternal grandfather, fine linework and gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, domestic interiors with detailed textiles, discreet depiction of secrecy via curtains and attendants, then formal reception scene with elders and gifts, nuanced facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गूढजस्तु = गूढ-जः तु; कन्यकाजातो = कन्यका-जातः; मातामहसुतो = माता-मह-सुतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (putrabheda definitions continuing)
FAQs
It gives Dharma-shastra technical definitions of two legal categories of sons—gūḍhaja (concealed-born) and kānīna (born of an unmarried girl)—used for determining lineage and related rights.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves social-juridical taxonomy (putra-bheda) drawn from Smṛti-style discourse, showing its coverage of governance, law, and inheritance norms.
By clarifying socially recognized lineage, it supports dharma-based order in family duties (pitṛ-kārya, maintenance, succession), reducing disputes and the karmic burden associated with adharma in household conduct.