Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Chapter 168 — महापातकादिकथनम्
Exposition of Great Sins and Related Topics
रजकस्य नृशंसस्य वन्दिनः कितवस्य च मिथ्यातपस्विनश् चैव चौरदण्डिकयोस् तथा
rajakasya nṛśaṃsasya vandinaḥ kitavasya ca mithyātapasvinaś caiva cauradaṇḍikayos tathā
เช่นเดียวกัน พึงเว้นอาหารของคนซักผ้า ผู้โหดร้าย ผู้สรรเสริญเยินยอ (วันทิน), นักพนัน, นักบำเพ็ญตบะจอมปลอม; ตลอดจนโจรและผู้ลงทัณฑ์/เพชฌฆาต (ดัณฑิก)
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narration to Vasiṣṭha, Rajadharma section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Ethical governance and social regulation: identifying censured professions/behaviors whose food-gifts are to be refused to maintain ritual integrity and public morality.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Anna-śuddhi: Additional censured donors (washerman, cruel man, panegyrist, gambler, false ascetic, thief, executioner)","lookup_keywords":["rajadharma","dandaniti","apātra","kitava","mithyātapasvin"],"quick_summary":"Food from persons associated with cruelty, deceit, theft, gambling, mercenary praise, or punitive violence is treated as unfit for acceptance, reinforcing dharmic standards in society and court."}
Concept: Association (saṅga) and sustenance (anna) are moral vectors; accepting support from adharma-linked livelihoods compromises one’s śuddhi and credibility.
Application: For officials, priests, and householders: refuse hospitality/gifts from criminals, exploiters, and impostors; prefer transparent, dharmic sources of support.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Governance, law, and social-ethical regulation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A civic-ethical tableau: figures representing washerman, cruel man, panegyrist, gambler, false ascetic, thief, and executioner are shown as unsuitable food-givers while a jurist instructs a listener.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, narrative frieze: dharma-ācārya teaching; washerman at riverbank with cloth, gambler with dice, thief sneaking, executioner with staff, false ascetic with deceptive marks, panegyrist praising a patron; bold outlines, traditional costumes.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central seated dharma-teacher with gold halo; surrounding medallions: dice player, thief, executioner, washerman, false ascetic, panegyrist; ornate gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition with labeled archetypes; refined faces, soft palette; teacher holding palm-leaf manuscript listing apātra categories.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, urban scene: qazi-like jurist advising; detailed street vignettes of gambling, theft, and punishment; fine architectural backdrop and patterned borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मिथ्यातपस्विनः = मिथ्या + तपस्विनः; चैव = च + एव; चौरदण्डिकयोस् = चौरदण्डिकयोः (विसर्ग-सन्धि/लोप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 168 (apātra/anna-śuddhi lists); Agni Purana rajadharma/dandanīti discussions on crime and punishment
FAQs
It classifies certain socially harmful roles/behaviors—gambler, thief, false ascetic, etc.—as falling under the same legal-ethical treatment discussed in the surrounding Rajadharma context (i.e., categories relevant for regulation/punishment).
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves governance-oriented material (rājadharma/dandanīti), listing concrete social types addressed by law—showing the Purana’s coverage of practical jurisprudence and public order.
It implies that deceit, exploitation, and criminality (e.g., stealing, fraudulent asceticism, predatory gambling) are adharma-bearing acts with negative karmic consequences and therefore warrant restraint and corrective action.