Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 65
Chapter 226 — राजधर्माः
Rājadharma: Royal Duties and Daṇḍanīti
यो मन्येताजितो ऽस्मीति न्यायेनापि पराजितः तमायान्तं पराजित्य दण्डयेद् द्विगुणं दमं
yo manyetājito 'smīti nyāyenāpi parājitaḥ tamāyāntaṃ parājitya daṇḍayed dviguṇaṃ damaṃ
যি ন্যায়প্ৰক্ৰিয়াতো পৰাজিত হৈও ‘মই পৰাজিত নহয়’ বুলি ভাবে, সি পুনৰ আহি বিবাদ তুলিলে তাক পুনৰ পৰাস্ত কৰি দ্বিগুণ দণ্ড (জৰিমনা) দিব লাগে।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Establishes escalation for vexatious re-litigation: if a legally defeated party reopens the dispute claiming non-defeat, impose double fine to deter abuse of courts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Double Fine for Reopening a Case After Lawful Defeat","lookup_keywords":["nyaya","parajita","punarvyavahara","dviguna-dama","danda"],"quick_summary":"A litigant defeated by due process who returns insisting he was not defeated is to be subdued again and fined twice, discouraging frivolous appeals and harassment."}
Concept: Justice requires finality; repeated contention after lawful adjudication is adharma and must be checked by proportionate escalation.
Application: Adopt procedural rules against vexatious litigation; apply enhanced penalties for repeat abuse of judicial process.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Nyaya & Danda-niti / Governance and Jurisprudence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtroom where a litigant, already judged, returns angrily to re-argue; the judge and scribes record the repeat offense, and the fine is doubled in the ledger.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized court with judge on dais, palm-leaf records, returning litigant gesturing defiantly, attendants restraining him, strong facial expressions, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, royal judge with gold halo-like arch, scribe holding ledger, coins shown as doubled stacks, litigant in supplicant-yet-stubborn pose, ornate pillars with gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, procedural clarity: judge pointing to prior written judgment, scribe marking ‘double fine’, litigant returning with raised hand, refined lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed diwan-i-adalat scene with carpets, clerks, inkpots, litigant reappearing, judge signaling increased penalty, delicate shading and architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"judicial","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्येताजितो = manyeta ājitaḥ; 'स्मीति = asmi iti; न्यायेनापि = nyāyena api; तमायान्तं = tam āyāntam; दण्डयेद् = daṇḍayet (final -t before voiced d-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 226 (vyavahara rules; danda gradation)
FAQs
It teaches a rule of danda-niti (penal policy): a litigant who was lawfully defeated but reopens the case in defiance should be fined at double rate after being subdued again.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical governance material—court conduct, deterrence, and graded penalties—showing it as a compendium of statecraft and jurisprudence.
Upholding lawful judgments discourages adharmic obstinacy and social harm; enforcing proportionate punishment supports dharma, order, and accountable action (karma) in public life.