Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 13
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
पथि ग्रामविवीतान्ते क्षेत्रे दोषो न विद्यते अकामतः कामचारे चौरवद्दण्डमर्हति
pathi grāmavivītānte kṣetre doṣo na vidyate akāmataḥ kāmacāre cauravaddaṇḍamarhati
لا إثم في المرور في الطريق، أو عند طرف القرية، أو عبر الحقل. لكن من يتجول بلا ضرورة وبهوى نفسه في ملك غيره يستحق عقوبة كعقوبة السارق.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defining lawful passage (paths, village edges, crossing fields) versus suspicious trespass; guiding policing and adjudication of encroachment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"No offence in necessary passage; needless roaming punished as theft","lookup_keywords":["pathi doṣaḥ na","grāma-vivīta-anta","kṣetre doṣaḥ","akāmataḥ kāmacāra","cauravat daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Movement along recognized routes and boundaries is permitted and not criminalized. Aimless wandering within another’s property without necessity is treated as thief-like conduct and punishable."}
Concept: Dharma distinguishes necessity (niyama/ācāra) from caprice (kāmacāra); intent and context determine offence.
Application: Village officers and courts evaluate trespass by necessity and customary right-of-way; prevent harassment of travelers while deterring stealthy scouting for theft.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Law, governance, and punishments)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village landscape with a marked path and boundary hedges; travelers walk lawfully along the edge, while a suspicious man wanders inside a field and is apprehended by guards as a potential thief.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized village with boundary fence, a clear path with travelers, guards confronting a man inside the field, strong contour lines and rhythmic foliage patterns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted boundary markers and royal insignia on guards, central path with lawful walkers, side scene of apprehension in a field, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition showing permitted zones (path, boundary) and prohibited wandering, labels on scroll-like cartouches, gentle palette and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic village edge, detailed crops and footpath, guards seizing a trespasser, expressive gestures, naturalistic trees and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चौरवद्दण्डमर्हति = चौरवत् + दण्डम् + अर्हति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (trespass, cattle damage, and fines); Agni Purana Rajadharma passages on policing and theft
FAQs
It imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical legal rules): lawful passage is allowed on public paths and boundaries, but purposeless entry/roaming in others’ fields is treated as a punishable offence akin to theft.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves danda-nīti and civil law norms—defining permissible movement, property boundaries, and proportional punishment—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence.
It frames respect for others’ property and social order as dharma: acting with rightful purpose avoids doṣa, while willful intrusion aligns one’s karma with adharma and invites punitive consequences.