Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Chapter 154: विवाहः
Vivāha — Marriage
पञ्चस्वापत्सु नारीणां पतिरन्यो विधीयते मृते तु देवरे देयात् तदभावे यथेच्छया
pañcasvāpatsu nārīṇāṃ patiranyo vidhīyate mṛte tu devare deyāt tadabhāve yathecchayā
ஐந்து வகைத் துன்பநிலைகளில் பெண்ணுக்கு மற்றொரு கணவரை ஏற்க அனுமதி உண்டு. கணவர் இறந்தால் இறந்தவரின் இளைய சகோதரனுக்குக் (தேவருக்கு) மணம் செய்து கொடுக்க வேண்டும்; அவர் இல்லையெனில் அவள் விருப்பப்படி.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dharma sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Family-law guidance on remarriage permissions in calamity and the customary levirate option (devara) after a husband’s death, with fallback to the woman’s choice if no devara is available.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Apad-dharma for Stri: Panca-apat and Niyoga/Devara-vivaha option","lookup_keywords":["panca-apat","stri-dharma","punarvivaha","devara-vivaha","niyoga"],"quick_summary":"In specified calamities a woman may accept another husband; after the husband’s death, marriage to the younger brother is prescribed, otherwise remarriage may proceed by her choice."}
Concept: Apad-dharma and social continuity: regulated exceptions to marital exclusivity under calamity, balancing lineage-protection with the woman’s agency when prescribed kin is absent.
Application: Use as a normative rule-set for adjudicating remarriage/guardianship decisions in crisis situations while minimizing social harm.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Stri-dharma (Family law, marriage, and social conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-assembly scene where elders discuss a widow’s remarriage options: the deceased husband’s younger brother stands respectfully; the woman is shown veiled yet dignified, indicating choice if no devara is present.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat rich colors, dharma-sabha with brahmin elders seated, widow in traditional attire, devara standing with folded hands, palm-leaf manuscripts, calm ethical atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments and throne-like seats of elders, central widow figure with halo-like arch motif, devara at side, ceremonial marriage tokens subtly shown","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional tableau of dharma adjudication, labeled gestures (invitation, consent), subdued palette, emphasis on social procedure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly council with fine textiles, widow and devara depicted with nuanced expressions, manuscript margins, architectural interior with jali screens"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pañcasvāpatsu → pañcasu + āpatsu; patiranyo → patiḥ + anyaḥ; tadabhāve → tad-abhāve; yathecchayā → yathā-icchayā
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vivaha-bheda and samskara sections (same khanda context); Agni Purana: Stri-dharma/apad-dharma discussions (adjacent verses)
FAQs
It conveys dharma-shastra guidance on permissible remarriage/guardianship for women during specified calamities, including the rule of offering a widow to the devara (husband’s younger brother) and, failing that, allowing her choice.
Alongside ritual, theology, and other sciences, the Agni Purana also preserves normative social-legal instructions (dharma), here addressing marriage continuity and family structure during crisis—showing its wide-ranging, compendious scope.
By prescribing an orderly, dharma-based resolution in crisis (rather than social disorder), it frames remarriage as a regulated act aimed at protecting lineage, social stability, and personal welfare, thereby aligning conduct with dharmic merit.