Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Mahāpātaka-ādi-kathana
Account of the Great Sins) — concluding note incl. ‘Mārjāra-vadha’ (killing of a cat
सुवर्णस्तेयकृद्विप्रो राजानमभिगम्य तु स्वकर्म ख्यापयन् व्रूयान्मां भवाननुशास्त्विति
suvarṇasteyakṛdvipro rājānamabhigamya tu svakarma khyāpayan vrūyānmāṃ bhavānanuśāstviti
พราหมณ์ผู้ลักทองพึงเข้าเฝ้าพระราชา แล้วเปิดเผยกรรมของตนและกราบทูลว่า “ขอพระองค์ทรงสั่งสอนข้าพระองค์ด้วยการลงทัณฑ์เถิด”
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, per the Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Legal-ethical protocol for self-confession: a Brahmin guilty of gold theft should report to the king, disclose the act, and submit to adjudication/punishment as a means toward purification and social order.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Self-reporting of gold theft to the king (royal adjudication)","lookup_keywords":["suvarṇa-steya","rājā","svakarma-khyāpana","vyavahāra","daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"A gold thief—specifically a Brahmin—should approach the king, confess, and request discipline; confession initiates lawful punishment/penance and restores governance-backed dharma."}
Concept: Daṇḍa administered through rightful authority, preceded by truthful confession, functions as a purifier and stabilizer of social order.
Application: Encourage voluntary disclosure and submission to lawful correction to prevent escalation and to regain moral standing.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Penances for crimes; royal adjudication and expiation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A repentant Brahmin stands before a seated king in court, hands folded, openly confessing gold theft and requesting punishment; scribes and guards witness the legal act.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized royal court with the king on a simple throne, Brahmin petitioner in white, attendants with palm-leaf records, strong outlines and warm palette emphasizing dharma.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, king with ornate crown and gold embellishments, petitioner modestly dressed, gold coins as symbolic motif, heavy gold work framing the court scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative: petitioner gesture of confession, king’s instructive hand gesture, minimal but precise court details, emphasis on ethical instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, richly detailed durbar with carpets and pillars, naturalistic faces, the Brahmin presenting himself, a small tray of gold as evidence, fine architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: suvarṇa+steya+kṛt+vipraḥ → suvarṇasteyakṛdvipraḥ; rājānam + abhigamya → rājānamabhigamya; vrūyāt + mām → vrūyānmām (t → n before m); bhavān + anuśāstu + iti → bhavānanuśāstviti (final -n before vowel; -u + iti sandhi)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: rājadharma/vyavahāra sections on theft, confession, and punishment (same khanda)
FAQs
It prescribes a juridical-expiatory procedure: the offender must personally approach the king and make a full confession, requesting formal discipline/punishment as part of prāyaścitta.
Beyond theology, it records practical norms of vyavahāra (legal conduct) and rājadharma (royal duty), showing how governance, punishment, and expiation were integrated into Purāṇic instruction.
Voluntary confession and acceptance of discipline functions as a purificatory act, aligning the offender with dharma and enabling karmic remediation through rightful authority and prescribed penance.