Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Ācāra
Right Conduct
भद्रं भद्रमिति ब्रूयान्नानिष्टं कीर्तयेत् क्वचित् पालाशमासनं वर्ज्यं देवादिच्छायया व्रजेत्
bhadraṃ bhadramiti brūyānnāniṣṭaṃ kīrtayet kvacit pālāśamāsanaṃ varjyaṃ devādicchāyayā vrajet
भद्रं भद्रमिति ब्रूयात्, नानिष्टं क्वचित् कीर्तयेत्। पालाशमासनं वर्ज्यम्, देवादिच्छायया न व्रजेत्।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Ritual and everyday auspicious speech discipline; avoid inauspicious utterances and certain seats/paths considered ritually improper during worship contexts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūjā-Ācāra: Auspicious Speech, Avoiding Inauspicious Mention, Palāśa Seat Prohibition, and Avoiding Deity-Shadow","lookup_keywords":["bhadra-bhadra","aniṣṭa-kīrtana","palāśa-āsana","deva-chāyā","pūjā-ācāra"],"quick_summary":"Maintain auspicious speech (repeat ‘bhadra’), avoid speaking of inauspicious things, avoid sitting on palāśa-wood seats in this context, and do not pass through the shadow of a deity/image—rules aimed at ritual propriety."}
Alamkara Type: Abhyāsa (repetition: ‘bhadram bhadram’)
Concept: Śabda-śuddhi and maṅgala: speech and bodily movement are part of worship-discipline; reverence extends to spatial cues (shadow, seating).
Application: In worship and sacred settings, speak positively, avoid ominous talk, choose ritually acceptable seating, and move respectfully around images and sanctified spaces.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Achara (Ritual Conduct and Auspicious Etiquette)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper in a temple courtyard repeats ‘bhadra bhadra’ with folded hands, avoids ominous speech, refuses a palāśa-wood seat, and carefully steps aside to avoid crossing the deity’s shadow cast by a lamp/sunlight near the shrine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard with shrine and lamp, devotee with añjali mudrā uttering ‘bhadra’, a palāśa seat shown crossed out symbolically, strong shadow of deity/image on floor avoided by the devotee, rich earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity in shrine with gold work, devotee seated on proper āsana (not palāśa), inscription-like ‘bhadra bhadra’, dramatic shadow motif on floor, ornate temple pillars.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction of temple etiquette: arrows showing path avoiding deity-shadow, labeled āsanas with palāśa marked ‘avoid’, soft colors and precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple-like pavilion with sunlight casting a sharp shadow from an idol, devotee stepping around it, attendants holding ritual items, fine architectural detailing and patterned floor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: brūyānnāniṣṭaṃ = brūyāt + na + aniṣṭam; pālāśamāsanaṃ = pālāśam + āsanam; devādicchāyayā = deva-ādi-chāyayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana (pūjā-vidhi sections elsewhere); Agni Purana 155 (ācāra maxims)
FAQs
It teaches achara for worship and daily conduct: speak only auspicious words, avoid uttering inauspicious talk, avoid sitting on a palāśa-wood seat, and avoid moving through the shadow associated with deity images and similar sacred presences.
Alongside theology and rites, the Agni Purana preserves practical micro-rules of conduct—speech-ethics, ritual seating norms, and temple etiquette—showing how Purāṇic knowledge extends into everyday behavioral codes.
Auspicious speech and careful movement around sacred objects are treated as purity-preserving disciplines; avoiding अशुभ (inauspiciousness) supports mental sattva, prevents ritual faults (doṣa), and safeguards the merit (puṇya) of worship.