Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 10
Adhyaya 223 — Rājadharmāḥ
Royal Duties: Inner Palace Governance, Trivarga Protection, Courtly Conduct, and Aromatic/Hygienic Sciences
या सा विरक्ता तान्त्यक्त्वा सानुरागां स्त्रियम्भजेत् दृष्ट्वैव हृष्टा भवति वीक्षिते च पराङ्मुखी
yā sā viraktā tāntyaktvā sānurāgāṃ striyambhajet dṛṣṭvaiva hṛṣṭā bhavati vīkṣite ca parāṅmukhī
若女子已生厌离、情意断绝，便当舍之，而亲近仍怀爱恋之女。因为有情者但见所爱便心生欢喜；然被直视之时，又因羞怯端庄而转面回避。
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic topics including kavya/drama conventions)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Guidance for poetic/narrative choice of suitable beloved (associate with the affectionate, avoid the disaffected) and depiction of modest bashfulness (lajjā) as a love-sign.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sa-anurāgā vs viraktā: association principle and lajjā-lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["viraktā","sānurāgā","bhajet","dṛṣṭvā-hṛṣṭā","vīkṣite-parāṅmukhī"],"quick_summary":"Do not pursue one who is disaffected; choose the affectionate. The affectionate shows joy at mere sight, yet turns away when directly looked at—bashfulness functioning as a positive love-marker."}
Alamkara Type: Nīti-yukta śṛṅgāra-varṇana (didactic love-description)
Concept: Right association (saṅga) in intimate relations: pursue reciprocity; distinguish modesty from aversion.
Application: In conduct and counsel, prioritize mutual affection; interpret ‘turning away’ with context—joy + bashfulness differs from cold rejection.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–Nataka–Kama-artha: signs of love, aversion, and feminine psychology in poetic description)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two contrasting women: one disaffected being left aside; another affectionate woman brightens upon seeing the beloved but turns her face away when he looks directly at her, out of modesty.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split-scene composition: left—viraktā woman turned away with closed posture; right—sānurāgā woman smiling at first sight then lowering gaze and turning face aside, vivid colors and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, right-side affectionate nāyikā with gentle smile and averted face, left-side disaffected figure in muted tones, palace veranda, heavy jewelry and gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic two-panel: ‘viraktā’ shown with rigid posture and avoidance; ‘sānurāgā’ shown with hṛṣṭi (bright eyes) and lajjā (face turned on direct gaze), fine linework and soft washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, narrative diptych: the hero stepping away from a cold, turned-back woman; approaching an affectionate woman who smiles then shyly turns away, detailed garden and architectural setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तान्त्यक्त्वा → ताम् + त्यक्त्वा; स्त्रियम्भजेत् → स्त्रियम् + भजेत्; दृष्ट्वैव → दृष्ट्वा + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 223 (love-signs and behavioral counsel)
FAQs
It gives a technical behavioral marker (lakṣaṇa) used in kāvya/nāṭya: the affectionate woman shows joy upon seeing the beloved but averts her face when directly observed—an indicator of anurāga with modesty.
Beyond rituals and dharma, the Agni Purana also codifies kavya and dramaturgical conventions; this verse functions like a handbook note on character psychology (stri-lakṣaṇa) for poets and storytellers.
Primarily pragmatic rather than ritual: it advises discernment in relationships—recognizing affection versus disaffection—supporting social harmony and reducing conflict born of misread intentions.