Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 18
Mantra-paribhāṣā
Technical Definitions and Operational Rules of Mantras
निग्रहानुग्रहे शक्तो गुरुरित्यभिधीयते शान्तो दान्तः पटुश्चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यो हविष्यभुक्
nigrahānugrahe śakto gururityabhidhīyate śānto dāntaḥ paṭuścīrṇabrahmacaryo haviṣyabhuk
能兼具摄持约束（教诫）与施予恩惠（加持）之力者，称为上师（guru）——寂静安和，自制调伏，善巧通达，守持梵行（brahmacarya），以祭祀供食（haviṣ）为生。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Criteria for selecting/recognizing a qualified guru for ethical instruction and spiritual training; guidance for institutional/ashram leadership standards.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Guru-lakṣaṇa (marks of a true guru)","lookup_keywords":["guru-lakshana","nigraha-anugraha","brahmacarya","haviṣ-bhuk","śama-dama"],"quick_summary":"A guru is defined by balanced discipline and grace, inner calm and self-control, competence, celibate conduct, and a life aligned with yajña-dharma. Use these traits to evaluate teachers and lineages."}
Concept: Authority is legitimate when grounded in self-mastery and compassionate correction (nigraha + anugraha).
Application: Adopt a code of conduct for teachers: calm speech, controlled senses, competence in śāstra, and non-exploitative livelihood aligned with sacred duty.
Khanda Section: Dharma–Achara (Guru-lakshana / Sadachara)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A composed teacher seated on a kuśa mat, one hand raised in instruction and the other in a gesture of restraint, with a disciplined student nearby; a small yajña-kuṇḍa indicates haviṣ-based living.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene guru with śānta expression, ochre and green palette, kuśa mat, yajña-kuṇḍa with gentle flames, student in añjali, minimal background, traditional ornament lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru seated on ornate pedestal, halo, rich textiles, small homa fire, gold leaf highlights on ornaments and flame, disciple kneeling with palm-leaf manuscript.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, soft shading, instructional scene of guru demonstrating nigraha/anugraha with two hand gestures, calm ashram setting, muted colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet ascetic teacher in a garden pavilion, subtle expressions showing restraint and favor, disciple attentive, small fire altar, detailed textiles and foliage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निग्रहानुग्रहे → निग्रहे अनुग्रहे; गुरुरित्यभिधीयते → गुरुः इति अभिधीयते; पटुश्चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यो → पटुः च चीर्णब्रह्मचर्यः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 292 (ācāra, guru-śiṣya-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It gives the operational definition of a guru: the authority to apply nigraha (corrective restraint) and anugraha (supportive grace), grounded in personal discipline (śama-dama), brahmacarya, and ritually pure living (haviṣ-bhuk).
Alongside rituals, polity, medicine, and arts, the Agni Purāṇa also codifies social-religious standards—here, a concise dharma-style profile of the ideal teacher who transmits śāstra and correct practice.
It frames spiritual authority as ethical and ascetic fitness: a guru’s guidance must balance correction and compassion, and purity of conduct (brahmacarya, pure food) is presented as the basis for effective, merit-bearing instruction.