Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 56
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
अन्ये ऽपि शङ्कया ग्राह्या जातिनामादिनिह्नवैः द्यूतस्त्रीपानशक्ताश् च शुष्कभिन्नमुखस्वराः
anye 'pi śaṅkayā grāhyā jātināmādinihnavaiḥ dyūtastrīpānaśaktāś ca śuṣkabhinnamukhasvarāḥ
மற்றவர்களும் சந்தேகத்தின் பேரில் பிடிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்—தம் சாதி, பெயர் முதலியவற்றை மறைப்போர்; சூதாட்டம், பெண்கள், மதுபானம் ஆகியவற்றில் அடிமையானோர்; வாய் உலர்ந்து பிளந்தும் குரல் மாறியும் இருப்போர்.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, conventional Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Early-warning indicators for investigation: identity concealment, addictions, and observable physiological signs used by officials to flag suspicious persons for questioning.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Suspicion markers: concealed identity, addictions, and telltale bodily signs","lookup_keywords":["शङ्का","जातिनामनिह्नव","द्यूत","पानशक्ति","मुखस्वर"],"quick_summary":"Persons may be detained on suspicion if they conceal identity details, are addicted to gambling/women/drink, or display signs like dry cracked mouth and altered voice—used as practical cues for inquiry."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Social order relies on सत्य (transparent identity) and संयम (restraint from addictions); vice and concealment are treated as risk factors for adharma.
Application: Administrative screening: require identification, monitor vice hotspots, use behavioral/physiological cues as triggers for questioning while avoiding arbitrary punishment without proof.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Niti-shastra (Signs of Suspicious Persons & Social Conduct)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Town watch questioning a stranger who hides his name/caste; scenes of gambling, drinking, and illicit pursuit; close-up of a suspect with cracked lips and wavering voice while being interrogated.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; a street scene with guards questioning a cloaked man; side vignettes of dice game and drinking; expressive faces, stylized cracked lips detail, warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting; a moral tableau—central interrogation with ornate pillars; side panels showing dyūta and pāna; gold embellishment emphasizing authority and ethical contrast.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; instructional composition with labeled ‘जाति-नाम-निह्नव’, ‘द्यूत’, ‘पान’, ‘मुखशोष’, ‘स्वरभेद’; gentle colors, clear gestures for teaching civic officers.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; lively tavern and gambling den near a street checkpoint; guards detain a suspect; detailed facial rendering showing dry lips and tense throat as he speaks."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: anye 'pi = anye+api; jātināmādinihnavaiḥ = jāti+nāma+ādi+nihnavaiḥ; śaktāś ca = śaktāḥ+ca; śuṣkabhinnamukhasvarāḥ = śuṣka+bhinna+mukha+svarāḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257.55–57 (criminal profiling and thief typologies)
FAQs
This verse imparts niti (practical governance) knowledge: criteria for identifying and detaining suspicious persons based on concealment of identity, addictions (gambling, drinking, sexual vice), and observable physical/speech signs.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also preserves statecraft and legal prudence. This verse shows its governance dimension—public order, profiling of suspects, and administrative caution—alongside its many other disciplines.
By discouraging vice and deception and supporting social order, the instruction aligns rulers and citizens with dharma; restraint from addictions and truthfulness in identity are framed as conduct that reduces pāpa (demerit) and protects communal well-being.