Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
विदुरा नाम चण्डाला जायन्ते नात्र संशयः शतिको म्रियते गृध्रः श्वासौ द्वादशिकस् तथा
vidurā nāma caṇḍālā jāyante nātra saṃśayaḥ śatiko mriyate gṛdhraḥ śvāsau dvādaśikas tathā
விதுரா எனப்படும் பெண்கள் சண்டாளியாகப் பிறக்கின்றனர்—இதில் ஐயமில்லை. ‘சதிக’ எனப்படுவான் இறந்து கழுகாகப் பிறக்கிறான்; அதுபோல ‘ச்வாச’ ‘த்வாதசிக’ ஆகிறான்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narration style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Moral-ritual instruction: illustrates karma-vipāka through yoni outcomes; used to warn against specific transgressions associated with named categories.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karma-vipāka: named persons and rebirth as Caṇḍālī/vulture/Dvādaśika","lookup_keywords":["karma-vipāka","yoni","vidurā caṇḍālī","śatika gṛdhra","śvāsa dvādaśika"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates specific karmic outcomes: certain named categories are said to be reborn as outcast women or as animals/birds, functioning as a deterrent and a mapping of deeds to yoni."}
Concept: Karma determines yoni; social and bodily conditions are portrayed as consequences of prior conduct.
Application: Ethical restraint and adherence to dharma are urged by presenting vivid negative outcomes.
Khanda Section: Naraka–Yoni–Karma-vipaka (Karmic retribution and rebirth outcomes)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A karmic tableau: a human figure’s fate branching into rebirth scenes—an outcaste settlement with a Caṇḍālī woman, a vulture perched on a corpse-ground, and a labeled ‘Dvādaśika’ figure as a symbolic rebirth outcome.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, multi-register karmic wheel scene, rebirth as Caṇḍālī and as gṛdhra (vulture), stylized cremation-ground motifs, strong outlines and traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, triptych composition with gold borders: (1) Caṇḍālī figure, (2) vulture scene, (3) symbolic Dvādaśika panel, rich jewel tones and embossed gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional karmic chart aesthetic, clear compartments and fine linework, subdued gold, emphasis on legibility of outcomes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative vignettes with naturalistic bird rendering (vulture), detailed human figures and landscape, delicate shading, moralizing caption-like spacing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nātra → na atra. śvāsau → śvā asau.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 165 (Naraka–Yoni–Karma-vipāka sequence)
FAQs
It conveys karma-vipāka taxonomy: specific named categories (Vidurā, Śatika, Śvāsa) are mapped to particular rebirth outcomes (Caṇḍāla birth, vulture rebirth, Dvādaśika state), serving as a doctrinal reference for consequences of conduct.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s cataloging method—listing named moral/behavioral types and their post-mortem results—alongside its many other domains, making it a compendium that includes ethical jurisprudence, eschatology, and rebirth theory.
The verse functions as a warning: harmful or impure actions associated with these named types lead to degraded social birth or animal rebirth, emphasizing moral restraint and purification to avoid lower yoni and suffering.