Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 25
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
अनृते च समुत्कर्षो राजगामि च पैशुनं गुरोश्चालीकनिर्बन्धः समानं ब्रह्महत्यया
anṛte ca samutkarṣo rājagāmi ca paiśunaṃ guroścālīkanirbandhaḥ samānaṃ brahmahatyayā
பொய்மீது நின்ற தன்னை உயர்த்திக் கூறுதல், அரசரிடம் சென்று சேரும் புகார்-சாடி, தீய புறநிந்தை, மேலும் குருவின் மீது பொய்க் குற்றச்சாட்டை பிடிவாதமாகச் சுமத்துதல்—இவை பிராமணஹத்தியைக்கு சமமான பாவங்கள் எனக் கூறப்படுகின்றன।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical-legal guidance on speech crimes (false boasting, slander to the king, malicious backbiting, false accusation against guru) and their karmic equivalence, informing courtroom/royal-assembly conduct and personal restraint.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Speech-offences equated with brahmahatyā","lookup_keywords":["anṛta","paiśunya","rājagāmi","guru-apavāda","brahmahatyā-samatā"],"quick_summary":"Certain grave abuses of speech—false self-exaltation, slander carried to royal authority, malicious backbiting, and persistent false charges against one’s guru—are declared karmically equivalent to brahmin-slaying."}
Concept: Vāk-karma (speech as action) can be as destructive as physical violence; betrayal of guru and weaponized falsehood are treated as extreme adharma.
Application: Adopt truthfulness, avoid calumny, and treat testimony/complaints as sacred responsibilities—especially in royal/legal settings.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Nyaya (Ethics, crimes, and their karmic equivalences)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scene where a slanderer speaks before the king; a guru sits nearby as a target of false accusation; a moral teacher gestures to restrain harmful speech.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace hall with king on throne, a figure whispering accusations, guru seated with composed dignity, dharma-teacher raising a hand in prohibition, bold lines and expressive faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central king in ornate throne, foreground petitioner with accusatory gesture, guru figure with halo-like dignity, gold work on throne and ornaments, moral contrast through color.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear courtroom composition: king, scribe, witnesses, accused guru; emphasis on didactic clarity and controlled expressions, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar with courtiers, a backbiter leaning in, calligraphed speech scroll motif, refined textiles and architecture, subtle moral tension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"stern","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guroścālīkanirbandhaḥ → guroḥ ca ālīka-nirbandhaḥ; brahmahatyayā → brahma-hatyayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (ethical gradations of sins; rājadharma-linked offences)
FAQs
It imparts dharma-vidyā concerning vāṅmaya-doṣa (sins of speech): lying-based self-glorification, slander escalated to royal authority, malicious tale-bearing, and persistent false accusation against one’s guru—classified as extremely grave offenses.
By cataloging and ranking moral-legal transgressions (especially speech-based harms) and equating them with major sins like brahmahatyā, it functions like a dharma/nyāya compendium embedded within the Purana’s wide-ranging subjects.
It warns that weaponizing false speech—especially against a guru or through royal channels—creates karma as severe as brahmin-slaying, emphasizing truthfulness, restraint, and protection of teacher-disciple sanctity.