Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 28
Ācāra
Right Conduct
न हुङ्कुर्याच्छिवं पूज्यं पादं पादेन नाक्रमेत् प्रत्यक्षं वा परोक्षं वा कस्य चिन्नाप्रियं वदेत्
na huṅkuryācchivaṃ pūjyaṃ pādaṃ pādena nākramet pratyakṣaṃ vā parokṣaṃ vā kasya cinnāpriyaṃ vadet
शिवं पूज्यं प्रति न हुङ्कुर्यात्; पादं पादेन नाक्रमेत्; प्रत्यक्षं परोक्षं वा कस्यचिन्नाप्रियं वदेत्।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Etiquette in worship and social conduct: avoid contempt toward Śiva, avoid disrespectful bodily gestures, and practice non-hurtful speech publicly and privately.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Sadācāra: Śiva-sammāna, Deha-maryādā, and Vāk-śuddhi","lookup_keywords":["śiva-pūjā aparādha","huṅkāra niṣedha","pāda-atikrama","vāk-śuddhi","parokṣa-apriya-vacana"],"quick_summary":"Maintain reverence toward Śiva and avoid worship-offenses; keep bodily etiquette (do not step over another’s foot); and restrain speech from causing displeasure either directly or behind someone’s back."}
Concept: Ahiṃsā through body and speech; avoidance of pūjā-aparādha
Application: In temples and daily life: keep respectful speech, avoid insulting interjections, and practice considerate physical manners.
Khanda Section: Sadācāra & Śiva-pūjā-vidhi (Ethics and conduct in worship)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee stands before a Śiva shrine with folded hands, refraining from contempt; nearby, two people stand with careful foot placement; a third scene shows restrained speech—no gossip behind someone’s back.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva shrine with lamp-lit sanctum, devotee in añjali, side vignette of respectful foot etiquette, muted expressions showing restraint from harsh words","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Śiva-liṅga with gold aureole, devotee offering bilva, decorative panels illustrating ‘no stepping over feet’ and ‘sweet speech’ as moral emblems","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic triptych: (1) worship before Śiva, (2) foot etiquette in a courtyard, (3) two figures conversing gently while a third refrains from backbiting; fine lines and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple courtyard scene with refined gestures, a Śiva shrine in the background, courtiers practicing polite speech, subtle narrative of avoiding slander"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: huṅkuryācchivam = huṅkuryāt + śivam; nākramet = na + ākramet; kasya cinnāpriyam = kasya + cit + na + apriyam
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Śiva-pūjā-vidhi / pūjā-aparādha discussions; Agni Purana: Sadācāra and vāk-niyama passages
FAQs
It teaches practical sadācāra for worship and social life: do not show contempt toward Śiva, avoid disrespectful bodily conduct (stepping over another’s foot), and practice restrained, non-hurtful speech both publicly and privately.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves dharma-oriented social etiquette—covering bodily manners, speech ethics, and devotional propriety—demonstrating its breadth beyond purely ritual manuals.
Reverence toward the deity, non-disrespectful conduct, and avoidance of hurtful speech are presented as purifying disciplines that reduce offense (aparādha) and support merit (puṇya) through self-restraint.