Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 43
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
गृहीतवेतनः कर्म त्यजन् द्विगुणमावहेत् अगृहीते समं दाप्यो भृत्यै रक्ष्य उपस्करः
gṛhītavetanaḥ karma tyajan dviguṇamāvahet agṛhīte samaṃ dāpyo bhṛtyai rakṣya upaskaraḥ
إذا ترك الخادم العمل الموكول إليه بعد أن قبض الأجرة، لزمه غُرمٌ قدره ضعفها. وإن لم يكن قد قبض الأجرة، دُفع له مقدارٌ مساوٍ لما يستحق، وتُصان أدواته ومعدّاته.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in rajadharma/vyavahāra matters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Labor-contract rule: define penalties for breach after wage-acceptance; ensure due payment when wage not taken; protect worker’s tools/implements to prevent exploitation and disputes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhṛtya-vyavahāra (Wages, breach, and protection of implements)","lookup_keywords":["bhṛtya","vetana","dviguṇa-daṇḍa","karmatyāga","upaskara-rakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"If a servant abandons work after taking wages, he pays a double penalty. If wages were not taken, he must be paid what is due, and his implements must be safeguarded."}
Concept: Reciprocity and non-exploitation in service relations: accountability for breach, and protection of the vulnerable party’s livelihood tools.
Application: Draft employment terms: wage-advance rules, abandonment penalties, and employer duty to safeguard employee equipment; reduce litigation by clear standards.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Vyavahara (Civil & Labour Law; Duties of Masters and Servants)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master and servant before a judge: wage coins on a tray, the servant’s tools kept safely aside; the judge indicates a double fine for abandonment after payment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, village court scene, judge/king’s officer seated, servant with work tools (spade/loom tools) placed safely, coins depicted, strong contours, didactic posture gestures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, judicial scene with gold accents on throne and coin tray, servant and master in profile, tools rendered prominently, emphasis on dharma and fair penalty","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: three figures (judge, master, servant), labeled objects (vetana, upaskara), fine lines and soft colors, focus on legal procedure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, qazi-like court aesthetic adapted to Indian setting, detailed coins and implements, expressive faces, patterned floor, marginalia border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विगुणमावहेत् = द्विगुणम् आवहेत्; अगृहीते (सप्तमी) ‘अगृहीते (वेतने)’ इति लुप्तपद-सम्बन्धः; भृत्यै रक्ष्य उपस्करः = भृत्यै रक्ष्यः उपस्करः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vyavahāra rules on debts, contracts, and penalties (contextual); Agni Purana Rajadharma on adjudication and fines
FAQs
This verse imparts vyavahāra-vidyā (practical jurisprudence): rules for wage contracts—double penalty for abandoning work after accepting wages, and proper payment/asset protection when wages are unpaid.
It demonstrates the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond ritual into governance and civil law—codifying employer–servant obligations, penalties for breach, and safeguarding of work implements.
It reinforces dharma in livelihood: honoring agreements, avoiding injustice in payment, and protecting another’s property—actions framed as ethically binding and karmically consequential.