Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 61
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
एभिश् च व्यवहर्ता यः स दाप्यो दममुत्तमं विषाग्निदां पतिगुरुविप्रापत्यप्रमापिणीं
ebhiś ca vyavahartā yaḥ sa dāpyo damamuttamaṃ viṣāgnidāṃ patiguruviprāpatyapramāpiṇīṃ
And whoever engages in dealings (or litigation) connected with these persons—such a man shall be made to pay the highest fine: namely, one who administers poison or fire, and one who kills a husband, a teacher, a Brāhmaṇa, or a child.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s dharma/vyavahāra section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Treat dealings that facilitate grave crimes (poisoning, arson, murder of protected persons) as severely punishable; deter accomplices and enablers through highest fines.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Highest fine for dealings connected to poison, fire, and protected-person homicide","lookup_keywords":["viṣa-dāna","agni-dāna (arson)","guru-vipra-vadha","apatya-pramāpana","uttama-dama"],"quick_summary":"Those who engage in transactions or litigation tied to poisonings, arson, or killings of specially protected persons (husband, teacher, brāhmaṇa, child) are liable to the highest fine—targeting facilitation and complicity."}
Concept: Certain persons and relationships are dharmically protected; harming them (or enabling harm) destabilizes society and merits maximal sanction.
Application: Define ‘abetment/facilitation’ liability; impose enhanced penalties for crimes against vulnerable/protected classes and for arson/poisoning.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Penalties)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judge condemns a poison-giver and an arsonist; grieving figures represent victims (teacher/brāhmaṇa/child); scribes record the highest fine for those who facilitated the crimes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, intense moral scene: flames stylized, poison vial depicted, judge stern, victims shown symbolically with halo-like emphasis, bold reds and blacks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, dramatic arson and poison motifs framed by gold; central justice figure; symbolic portrayal of guru and brāhmaṇa with dignified ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative clarity: separate panels for poison administration, arson, and court sentencing; fine details, calm but severe instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night arson scene with controlled flames; court inquiry with witnesses; poison vial rendered delicately; emotional restraint with precise detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ebhiḥ + ca → ebhiś ca; damam + uttamam → damamuttamam; compound patiguruviprāpatyapramāpiṇīm = pati + guru + vipra + apatya + pramāpiṇīm.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (highest fines; severe offences)
FAQs
It conveys vyavahāra-vidyā (legal-administrative knowledge): prescribing the ‘uttama dama’ (maximum fine) for dealings connected with grave offences such as poisoning, arson, and killing protected persons (husband, guru, brāhmaṇa, child).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of statecraft and jurisprudence—here summarizing criminal categories and graded penalties, reflecting a dharmaśāstric framework embedded inside a Purāṇa.
By marking these acts as warranting the highest penalty, the text underscores their extreme pāpa (sin) and social harm; enforcing strong punishment is presented as a dharmic duty that limits further adharma and its karmic spread in society.