Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
तुल्यार्थानां विकल्पः स्याद् यागमूलः प्रकीर्तितः वेदे तु विहितो धर्मः स्मृतौ तादृश एव च
tulyārthānāṃ vikalpaḥ syād yāgamūlaḥ prakīrtitaḥ vede tu vihito dharmaḥ smṛtau tādṛśa eva ca
तुल्यार्थानां विकल्पः स्यात्, यागमूलः प्रकीर्तितः। वेदे विहितो धर्मः स्मृतौ च तादृश एव।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Apply the hermeneutic rule that when two rites yield the same intended result, an optional choice (vikalpa) is permitted; affirm concordance between Vedic injunctions and Smṛti prescriptions in dharma adjudication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vikalpa (Optionality) and Veda–Smṛti Concordance","lookup_keywords":["vikalpa","tulyārtha","yāga-mūla","veda-smṛti","dharma"],"quick_summary":"If alternative procedures are equivalent in purpose, one may choose either; dharma taught in Smṛti is presented as consistent in kind with Vedic dharma."}
Concept: Scriptural reasoning: equivalence of purpose authorizes optionality; Veda and Smṛti are aligned in dharma when properly interpreted through intention and context.
Application: In ritual or legal doubt, identify whether prescriptions are tulyārtha; if yes, allow vikalpa; resolve conflicts by reading Smṛti as Veda-consistent unless clearly contradicted.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Smriti–Veda concordance; ritual jurisprudence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-scholar demonstrates two equivalent ritual options on a board/palm-leaf, while pointing to Veda and Smṛti manuscripts to show concordance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated ācārya with two palm-leaf bundles labeled ‘Veda’ and ‘Smṛti’, two small yajña setups shown as alternatives, decorative script motifs, calm scholastic ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, scholar with golden halo holding palm-leaf texts, two miniature ritual altars on either side indicating vikalpa, gold embossing on manuscripts and altar vessels, symmetrical didactic icon.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, classroom-like scene: ācārya pointing to a diagram ‘tulyārtha → vikalpa’, students attentive, fine lines and soft colors, emphasis on textual clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, library setting with manuscripts, a pandit explaining to a patron, two illustrated marginal vignettes of alternative rites, meticulous detail and calligraphic borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुल्यार्थानां = तुल्य-अर्थानाम्; स्याद् = स्यात् (द्-आदेशः परे घोषे); यागमूलः = याग-मूलः
Related Themes: Agni Purana dharma-kāṇḍa discussions on pramāṇa and ritual rules; Agni Purana 166.8 (technical definition style)
FAQs
It teaches the hermeneutic rule of vikalpa: when two ritual options yield the same intended result (tulyārtha), one may choose either; and it grounds dharma in yajña as the foundational ritual paradigm.
Beyond myths, it preserves Dharma-śāstra method—how to interpret Vedic prescriptions, reconcile alternatives, and relate Smṛti practice to Vedic authority—showing the Purāṇa as a compendium of ritual jurisprudence and scriptural reasoning.
By permitting choice only where meanings are equivalent, it protects the integrity of dharma while allowing practical adaptability; acting within such sanctioned options sustains yajña-based merit and avoids the fault of deviating from scriptural intent.