Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 31
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
उत्कृष्टासनसंस्थस्य नीचस्याधोनिकृन्तनं यो यदङ्गं च रुजयेत्तदङ्गन्तस्य कर्तयेत्
utkṛṣṭāsanasaṃsthasya nīcasyādhonikṛntanaṃ yo yadaṅgaṃ ca rujayettadaṅgantasya kartayet
उत्कृष्टासनसंस्थस्य नीचस्य अधोनिकृन्तनं दण्डः; यः यदङ्गं रुजयेत्तस्य तदङ्गं कर्तयेत्।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defines proportional punishments for social transgression (inferior taking superior seat) and for bodily injury (retaliatory limb-cutting); aids reconstruction of daṇḍanīti principles and proportionality doctrines.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Proportional retribution: seat-transgression and limb-for-limb penalty","lookup_keywords":["utkrishta-asana","adhonikrintana","yad-anga-rujana","tad-anga-kartana","pratikara-danda"],"quick_summary":"A low-status person occupying a superior seat is punished by cutting the ‘lower part’; and for injuring a limb, the offender’s corresponding limb is cut. The verse codifies a strict proportionality rule in punitive justice."}
Concept: Daṇḍa as upholder of varṇa/āsana-maryādā (ranked social protocol) and ‘tādṛśa-pratikāra’ (like-for-like recompense).
Application: For governance studies: illustrates how symbolic status offences (seat) were treated as threats to order; for ethics: examine proportionality vs. cruelty and the role of social hierarchy.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Judicial punishments and proportional retribution)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A court scene: an inferior person sits on a high seat reserved for nobles; separately, a case of bodily injury where the judge orders corresponding retaliation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic courtroom with tiered seats; offender shown seated on an elevated āsana; guards pull him down; second vignette shows injured limb and judge’s stern decree; strong narrative framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted throne and elevated āsana; offender on the superior seat contrasted with nobles; symbolic emphasis on ‘lower part’ punishment through allegorical positioning; ornate court setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear hierarchical seating diagram in the scene; judge and scribe; second panel shows limb-injury case with proportional verdict; refined lines and calm instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, richly detailed durbar with carpeted dais; offender on the dais; attendants reacting; inset scene of injury adjudication; realistic expressions and architectural depth."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: utkṛṣṭāsanasaṃsthasya → utkṛṣṭa + āsana + saṃsthasya; nīcasyādhonikṛntanaṃ → nīcasya + adhaḥ + nikṛntanam; yadaṅgaṃ → yat + aṅgam; rujayettadaṅgantasya → rujayet + tat + aṅgam + tasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226.29 (yena aṅgena principle); Agni Purana 226.30 (organ-linked penalties)
FAQs
It imparts dandanīti (judicial science): proportional corporal penalties—amputation corresponding to the limb injured, and a specific penalty for a socially transgressive act (a low offender occupying a superior seat).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana catalogs practical statecraft—criminal law and sentencing principles—showing it functions as a compendium of governance (rājadharma) alongside other disciplines.
It frames punishment as dharma-protecting retribution intended to restore social and moral order; by enforcing proportionate consequences, the king upholds dharma and limits further adharma in society.