Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 38
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
ब्राह्मणः शाकधान्यादि अल्पं गृह्णन्न दोषभाक् गोदेवार्थं हरंश्चापि हन्याद्दुष्टं बधीद्यतं
brāhmaṇaḥ śākadhānyādi alpaṃ gṛhṇanna doṣabhāk godevārthaṃ haraṃścāpi hanyādduṣṭaṃ badhīdyataṃ
พราหมณ์ผู้รับผักและธัญพืชเพียงเล็กน้อยย่อมไม่มีความผิด เพื่อประโยชน์แก่วัวและทวยเทพ เขาสามารถกำจัดคนชั่วได้
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for adjudicating minor appropriation in distress and legitimizing protective force for dharmic ends (cow-protection, deity-service) while restraining imminent wrongdoing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Anāpatti in minor taking; dharmic protection and restraint of wrongdoers","lookup_keywords":["brāhmaṇa anāpatti","alpagrahaṇa śāka-dhānya","go-deva-artha","duṣṭa-vadha","baddhya-yatna"],"quick_summary":"Minor taking of vegetables/grain by a brāhmaṇa (in limited measure) is treated as non-culpable; force, including lethal force, is permitted against a wicked aggressor and binding is allowed to prevent intended wrongdoing, especially for cow-and-deity purposes."}
Concept: Dharma permits limited exceptions and calibrated force when protecting sacred/social order (go-deva, prevention of harm).
Application: In governance and community ethics, distinguish petty necessity from theft, and authorize restraint/force to stop imminent harm.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Nyāya (Law, Duties, and Penal/Protective Ethics)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: dharma
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village-judicial scene: a brāhmaṇa taking a small measure of grain/vegetables for a cow-shed and temple offering; nearby, guards bind a would-be wrongdoer while a wicked aggressor is struck down to protect cows and sacred goods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple courtyard with cows and a small shrine lamp, brāhmaṇa holding a small basket of grain, royal guards binding a culprit, vivid flat colors, ornate borders, dignified expressions, dharmic justice theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on temple arch and cow ornaments, central brāhmaṇa with modest grain measure, king’s officer restraining a criminal, rich reds and greens, iconic frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing measured quantity of grain and legal restraint (rope/bandhana), calm but stern officials, subtle shading, instructional emphasis on ‘alpam’ and ‘bandhana’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed rural granary and cow-pen, court officer recording the case, one aggressor subdued, delicate textiles and architecture, narrative realism with multiple vignettes in one frame."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गृह्णन्न → गृह्णन् (शतृ) ; हरंश्चापि → हरन् + च + अपि ; हन्याद्दुष्टं → हन्यात् + दुष्टम् ; बधीद्यतं → बधीत् + यतम् (पाठभेद/सन्धि-सम्भवः)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (Rājadharma/Daṇḍanīti context)
FAQs
It states a dharma-based exception: minimal taking of basic foodstuffs is not blameworthy for a brāhmaṇa, and protective action—including restraining or even killing a violent wrongdoer—is permitted when safeguarding religious interests such as cows and divine worship.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical legal-ethical norms (rājadharma/nyāya): rules of culpability, permissible exceptions, and protective use of force—showing its broad coverage of governance and social order.
The verse frames intent and context as karmically decisive: limited taking for sustenance or for sacred protection is not sinful, and force used to prevent adharma—especially threats to cows and worship—is treated as duty rather than transgression.