Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 41
Chapter 338 — शृङ्गारादिरसनिरूपणम्
Exposition of the Rasas beginning with Śṛṅgāra
स्वकीया परकीया च पुनर्भूरिति कौशिकाः सामान्या न पुनर्भूरिरित्याद्या बहुभेदतः
svakīyā parakīyā ca punarbhūriti kauśikāḥ sāmānyā na punarbhūrirityādyā bahubhedataḥ
Kauśika 学派之权威阐述诸多细分，如“己妻”（svakīyā）、“他人妻”（parakīyā）、“再嫁女”（punarbhū）、“通俗之女”（sāmānyā）、“非 punarbhū 者”（na punarbhū）等，依多种方式而别立差别。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Clarify social/legal categories of women (wife, another’s wife, remarried, common woman, etc.) for determining dharma, marital propriety, and narrative propriety in śāstra and kāvya.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Strī-bheda (Categories of women in dharma discourse)","lookup_keywords":["svakīyā","parakīyā","punarbhū","sāmānyā","kauśika"],"quick_summary":"Authorities (Kauśikas) enumerate multiple classifications of women—especially in relation to marriage and sexual propriety—used to decide what is permitted, censured, or contextually defined."}
Concept: Dharma discourse relies on precise categories (saṃjñā-bheda) to adjudicate conduct; relational status changes ethical valuation.
Application: In legal/ritual decisions (and in dramaturgy), first determine the woman’s category (svakīyā/parakīyā/punarbhū etc.) before judging actions, permissions, or transgressions.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Stri-dharma (Marriage law and classifications of women)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-assembly where a jurist-teacher explains categories: a lawful wife beside husband, a veiled ‘another’s wife’ at a distance, a remarried woman with new household symbols, and a ‘common woman’ in marketplace setting—shown as conceptual vignettes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, didactic panel with a seated dharma-ācārya; four small narrative compartments illustrating svakīyā, parakīyā, punarbhū, sāmānyā with restrained, dignified expressions; traditional borders and muted earth tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-framed medallions for each category; central dharma-ācārya with manuscript; rich textiles, symbolic household items (mangala-sūtra, water-pot, doorway threshold) rendered with gold embossing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional layout; labeled figures and household contexts; emphasis on clarity and decorum, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court qazi-like scholar explaining; marginal vignettes of domestic scenes and a bazaar; delicate architectural interiors, subdued palette, narrative clarity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनर्भूरिति → पुनर्भूः + इति; पुनर्भूरिरित्याद्या → पुनर्भूः + इति + आद्याः (इत्याद्या = इति + आद्याः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 338.38; Agni Purana 338.39; Agni Purana 338.40
FAQs
It transmits dharma-śāstra taxonomy—technical legal categories (svakīyā, parakīyā, punarbhū, etc.) used to determine marital status, eligibility, and related duties or prohibitions.
Alongside ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa also preserves juridical/social knowledge from smṛti traditions—here, a detailed legal classification system for women and marriage relations.
By distinguishing lawful from unlawful relations and clarifying remarriage categories, it supports dharmic conduct, which is presented as a basis for moral purity and favorable karmic outcomes.