Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
न पश्यत्यग्रदत्तन्तु जघनञ्च निगूहति दृष्टे विवर्णवदना मित्रेष्वथ पराङ्मुखी
na paśyatyagradattantu jaghanañca nigūhati dṛṣṭe vivarṇavadanā mitreṣvatha parāṅmukhī
முன் வைக்கப்பட்டதை அவள் பார்க்கவில்லை; தன் இடுப்புப் பகுதியை மறைத்துக் கொள்கிறாள். பார்க்கப்பட்டால் முகம் வெளிறுகிறது; நண்பர்களிடையிலும் முகம் திருப்பியே இருக்கிறாள்.
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic flow)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Alamkara","practical_application":"Reading social-psychological omens in conduct (avoidance, shame, pallor) for prudent household interaction and for realistic character portrayal in literature.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lajjā/saṅkoca/virakti-lakṣaṇa (avoidance and pallor signs)","lookup_keywords":["agradatta-anavalokana","jaghana-nigūhana","vivarṇa-vadana","mitreṣu-parāṅmukhī","strī-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Not looking at what is set before her, concealing the hips, pallor when observed, and turning away even among friends are grouped as observable markers of inner disturbance/withdrawal."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇa-varṇana (diagnostic description)
Concept: Social sensitivity: inner states manifest outwardly; one should not publicly press or shame a person showing distress.
Application: In family/community settings, offer privacy and gentle inquiry rather than confrontation when such signs appear.
Khanda Section: Nīti-śāstra / Strī-lakṣaṇa (omens and behavioral signs in social ethics)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A woman avoids looking at what is placed before her, subtly covers her hips with her garment, her face pales when noticed, and she turns away even in a group of friends.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, group of sakhīs in a courtyard, nāyikā with lowered gaze, hand adjusting garment over hips, pale face tones, turned-away posture, decorative floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly dressed friends, nāyikā slightly apart, face rendered lighter, gold accents on jewelry, gesture of covering hips, offering tray placed before her ignored.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear didactic depiction of four cues: a tray in front, averted gaze, garment pulled to conceal hips, pallor, and turning away from companions; soft palette and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ladies’ assembly, nāyikā seated sideways with averted face, subtle pallor, detailed textiles, a tray of items in foreground, companions looking on."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्यत्यग्रदत्तन्तु → पश्यति + अग्रदत्तम् + तु; जघनञ्च → जघनम् + च; मित्रेष्वथ → मित्रेषु + अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (continuation of behavioral markers)
FAQs
It gives a nīti-style diagnostic: observable behavioral cues (avoidance of what is offered, concealment, pallor on being seen, and turning away from friends) used to infer inner disposition or discomfort in social contexts.
Beyond ritual and theology, it preserves practical social-ethical material—character-reading and conduct assessment—showing the text’s wide scope across governance, etiquette, and applied human observation.
By encouraging discernment and mindful association, it supports dharmic household life—reducing conflict, deception, and harm—thereby aligning relationships with righteous conduct (dharma) and better karmic outcomes.