Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 22
Chapter 237 — Rāma’s Teaching on Nīti (रामोक्तनीतिः)
अपरोपतापि वचनं मौनव्रतचरिष्णुता बन्धभिर्बद्धसंयोगः स्वजने चतुरश्रता
aparopatāpi vacanaṃ maunavratacariṣṇutā bandhabhirbaddhasaṃyogaḥ svajane caturaśratā
วาจาที่ไม่ก่อทุกข์แก่ผู้อื่น การประพฤติพรตแห่งความสงบวาจา ความคบหาที่ผูกด้วยสายสัมพันธ์อันน่าเชื่อถือ และความประพฤติมั่นคงเที่ยงธรรมต่อพวกพ้องของตน—สิ่งเหล่านี้สรรเสริญว่าเป็นเครื่องหมายแห่งความประพฤติดี।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Ethical communication and self-restraint: avoid hurtful speech, practice silence as discipline, build reliable associations, and act fairly toward one’s own community.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vāk-saṃyama & Saṅga-niyama (Restraint of speech and associations)","lookup_keywords":["aparopatāpi vacanam","mauna-vrata","bandha-saṃyoga","svajana-caturasratā","sadācāra"],"quick_summary":"Good conduct includes non-harmful speech, disciplined silence, dependable bonds, and steady fairness toward one’s own people."}
Concept: Vāk-niyama and mauna as inner tapas; ethical relationality through trustworthy bonds and consistent fairness.
Application: Practice ‘pause-before-speech’, periodic mauna (e.g., weekly), choose associations by reliability, and apply the same standards to insiders as to outsiders.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma / Nīti-śāstra (Ethics and Conduct)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined person holds measured speech, observes a vow of silence, maintains trustworthy alliances, and deals squarely with his own kin and dependents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic-like householder seated with finger to lips (mauna), calm aura, nearby group showing harmonious bonds tied with symbolic threads, a fair judgment scene with kin present, stylized trees and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents: central figure in mauna posture, speech scroll muted, symbolic knots representing reliable ties, balanced scales indicating fairness toward one’s people, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: four labeled vignettes—non-hurtful speech, mauna-vrata, bound association, square-dealing with svajana; clean lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly setting: a counselor refrains from harsh words, then sits in contemplative silence, allies exchange pledges, and a fair settlement among relatives is depicted; fine architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: apara-upatāpi api → aparopatāpi (a + u → o; ī + a → yā); bandhabhiḥ baddha-saṃyogaḥ → bandhabhir baddhasaṃyogaḥ (visarga before b → r; a + s → saṃ- with anusvāra).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 237 (sadācāra and niyama traits)
FAQs
It imparts nīti (practical ethics): speak without harming others, cultivate disciplined restraint through mauna-vrata, maintain stable alliances, and act with firm integrity toward one’s own community.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purana also preserves applied social science—rajadharma and nīti—by listing concrete behavioral traits needed for stable households, councils, and governance.
Non-harming speech and self-restraint reduce pāpa (demerit) created by harmful words, while truthful, steady conduct and loyal relationships support dharma and produce social harmony, which is treated as a meritorious outcome.