Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 6
Adhyaya 165 — नानाधर्माः
Various Dharmas
न स्त्री दुष्यति जारेण न विप्रो वेदकर्मणा बलात्कारोपभुक्ता चेद्वैरिहस्तगतापि वा
na strī duṣyati jāreṇa na vipro vedakarmaṇā balātkāropabhuktā cedvairihastagatāpi vā
女子不因与情夫之交而成不净；婆罗门亦不因行吠陀仪轨而成不净。同样，若她遭强暴侵犯，或甚至落入敌人之手，也不因此而被视为受污。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Guidance on śauca/adoṣa determinations: a woman is not deemed intrinsically impure due to coercion or enemy-captivity; and a brāhmaṇa is not tainted by Vedic ritual action—used in legal/social adjudication and reintegration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Adoṣa in Śauca: Woman Not Tainted by Coercion/Enemy-Captivity; Brāhmaṇa Not Tainted by Vedic Acts","lookup_keywords":["śauca","adoṣa","balāt-kāra","vairi-hasta-gata","brāhmaṇa vedakarma"],"quick_summary":"The verse asserts non-taint (adoṣa) in specific cases: coercion or enemy-captivity does not render a woman impure, and performing Vedic rites does not render a brāhmaṇa impure—supporting dharmic protection and social restoration."}
Concept: Moral agency and fault (doṣa) depend on consent/intent; coercion does not generate impurity-blame. Ritual action aligned with Veda is not a source of taint.
Application: In community or royal adjudication, avoid stigmatizing victims of force or captivity; affirm eligibility for household and ritual life after appropriate supportive rites per local smṛti practice.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dharma-shastra (Social and Legal Norms)
Primary Rasa: karuṇa
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A council scene where a woman rescued from enemy captivity is received without stigma; a brāhmaṇa performs Vedic rites nearby, emphasizing that dharmic action does not taint. The mood is protective and restorative.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: royal court with dharma-assembly, rescued woman welcomed, priest with Vedic implements, strong gestures of reassurance, warm earthy palette, sacred border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: compassionate courtly tableau with gold highlights on royal ornaments and priestly vessels; central focus on the woman’s dignified reinstatement, serene faces, auspicious framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene—left: enemy camp silhouette indicating captivity; right: reintegration in court with a written placard ‘adoṣa’; fine lines, calm composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed durbar where qāḍī-like dharma-judge and brāhmaṇa counsel the king; the rescued woman stands respectfully, attendants present, nuanced expressions and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेद्वैरिहस्तगतापि→चेत् वैरिहस्तगता अपि; बलात्कारोपभुक्ता as बलात्कार+उपभुक्ता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rājadharma and śauca discussions; Agni Purana: Strī-dharma/śuddhi sections
FAQs
It gives a dharma-shastra rule on śuddhi (purity/taint): coercion (balātkāra) or captivity by an enemy does not constitute moral defilement; it also frames ritual performance (veda-karma) as non-defiling for a vipra.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana compiles practical norms of governance and law; this verse functions like a legal-ethical maxim defining when impurity is not imputed, aligning the text with dharma-shastra and rajadharma material.
It limits unjust karmic blame: where agency is absent (force or enemy custody), sin/taint is not assigned, supporting compassion and correct moral accounting in dharmic judgment.