Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 13
Chapter 164: नवग्रहहोमः
Navagraha Fire-Offering
यश् च यस्य यदा दूष्यः स तं यत्नेन पूजयेत् ब्रह्मणैषां वरो दत्तः पूजिताः पूजितस्य च
yaś ca yasya yadā dūṣyaḥ sa taṃ yatnena pūjayet brahmaṇaiṣāṃ varo dattaḥ pūjitāḥ pūjitasya ca
ผู้ใดสามารถทำร้ายผู้อื่นได้เมื่อใดก็ตาม ผู้นั้นพึงพยายามอย่างตั้งใจในการยกย่องบูชาคนนั้น เพราะพระพรหมได้ประทานพรไว้ว่า เมื่อเขาได้รับการบูชา ผู้บูชาก็ย่อมได้รับการบูชาเช่นกัน.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Teaches pragmatic etiquette: honor potentially harmful or influential persons to neutralize hostility and secure social protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Upacāra-nīti (policy of honoring the potentially harmful)","lookup_keywords":["pūjā","nīti","śatru-śamana","upacāra","brahmā-vara"],"quick_summary":"A rule of conduct: deliberately honor those who can harm you; honoring them results in reciprocal honor and reduced risk."}
Concept: Reciprocity and prudence: honoring others—especially the powerful—returns honor and safety.
Application: Practice respectful upacāra toward superiors, rivals, and those with capacity to harm; use honor as conflict-prevention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Etiquette and Propitiation of Influential Persons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cautious householder or minister offers respectful pūjā—water, flowers, seat—to a stern influential figure, transforming tension into mutual honor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: two figures facing—one offering flowers and arghya with folded hands, the other initially severe then softened; minimal background, strong outlines, ritual objects emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: dignitary seated on ornate throne, donor performing pūjā with gold-highlighted vessels, halo-like arch framing the honored person to signify social power.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene with clear gestures of namaskāra and offering, calm palette, emphasis on etiquette items (pādya, arghya, puṣpa).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly audience where a courtier presents nazr/pūjā to a powerful noble; detailed carpets, attendants, subtle facial expressions showing appeasement."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यश् = यः (visarga before c); ब्रह्मणैषां = ब्रह्मणा + एषाम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana nīti/ācāra passages in dharma sections (various dharmas)
FAQs
It teaches a practical niti-vidya principle: avert hostility and secure harmony by formally honoring (pūjā/satkāra) even a potential adversary or someone capable of causing harm.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves statecraft and social strategy (nīti/ācāra): conduct rules that function as applied dharma for governance and daily life.
The verse frames honor as merit-generating reciprocity: by reverencing others, one gains esteem and auspicious outcomes—presented as a boon sanctioned by Brahmā.