Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 14
Ācāra
Right Conduct
आत्मनः शुचिरेतानि परेषां न शुचिर्भवेत् भाराक्रान्तस्य गुर्विण्याः पन्था देयो गुरुष्वपि
ātmanaḥ śuciretāni pareṣāṃ na śucirbhavet bhārākrāntasya gurviṇyāḥ panthā deyo guruṣvapi
இவை தன்னுடைய தூய்மைக்கான நடைமுறைகள்; பிறருக்கு அசுத்தமோ இடையூறோ உண்டாக்கக் கூடாது. சுமை சுமப்பவருக்கும் கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்ணுக்கும் குருவும் கூட வழி விட வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Public conduct: personal purity rules must not inconvenience others; right-of-way etiquette for vulnerable persons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Sadācāra: śauca without paraduḥkha; path-yielding to burdened and pregnant","lookup_keywords":["sadācāra","śauca","panthā-deya","garvīṇī","guru-ādara"],"quick_summary":"Cleanliness observances are personal and must not create impurity or hardship for others; yield the way even to a teacher when someone is burdened or pregnant."}
Concept: Ahimsā and loka-saṅgraha: one’s observances should not become another’s burden; compassion overrides status in right-of-way.
Application: In public spaces, prioritize safety of vulnerable persons; do not weaponize purity rules to inconvenience others.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Sadachara (Ethics of conduct and social duty)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A narrow path where a teacher and students step aside to let a pregnant woman and a load-bearer pass; emphasis on courteous yielding.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; village pathway with stylized trees; guru with disciples gently moving aside; pregnant woman and porter passing; calm, ethical tableau.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; central figures with gold accents on garments; symbolic emphasis on dharma—guru’s hand gesture of yielding; pregnant woman highlighted with auspicious motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style; clear narrative scene of right-of-way etiquette; fine facial expressions showing humility and care; minimal background for instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; bustling street with refined detail; scholar-teacher steps aside; porter with bundle and pregnant lady pass; architectural backdrop and delicate shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुचिर्भवेत् = शुचिः + भवेत्; भाराक्रान्तस्य = भार + आक्रान्तस्य; गुरुṣ्वपि = गुरुषु + अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: sadācāra and śauca-niyama sections; Agni Purana: rājadharma duties regarding public order
FAQs
It teaches sadācāra (practical dharma): personal purity practices must not create impurity or hardship for others, and one must yield the way to vulnerable persons such as the burdened and pregnant.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies everyday civic ethics—public right-of-way, courtesy toward pregnant women, and limits on personal observances—showing its broad coverage of social governance (rajadharma) and conduct.
Dharma is framed as non-harm and consideration: purity is not merely personal ritual but moral action; yielding and not troubling others supports punya (merit) and reduces harm-caused demerit.