Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 28
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तुलाग्न्यापो विषं कोषो दिव्यानीह विशुद्धये महाभियोगेष्वेतानि शीर्षकस्थे ऽभियोक्तरि
tulāgnyāpo viṣaṃ koṣo divyānīha viśuddhaye mahābhiyogeṣvetāni śīrṣakasthe 'bhiyoktari
ইয়াত বিশুদ্ধি (নিৰ্দোষতা) স্থাপন কৰিবলৈ দিব্য-পৰীক্ষা—তুলা, অগ্নি, জল, বিষ আৰু কোষ-পৰীক্ষা। মহাভিযোগত, যেতিয়া অভিযোগকাৰী উচ্চপদস্থ হয়, তেতিয়া এইবোৰ প্ৰয়োগ কৰা হয়।
Lord Agni (narrating dharma and legal procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s framing dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Selection and application of divya (ordeals) to test innocence in high-stakes accusations, especially when the complainant is socially eminent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Five Ordeals (Divya) for Purification in Grave Accusations","lookup_keywords":["divya","tula","agni-pariksha","jala-pariksha","visha","kosha ordeal"],"quick_summary":"For determining innocence, the text lists ordeals—balance, fire, water, poison, and koṣa—used particularly in major accusations involving a high-status accuser."}
Concept: Dharma seeks truth through socially recognized pramanas; divya is an extraordinary pramana invoked when ordinary evidence is insufficient.
Application: Use heightened evidentiary standards and exceptional procedures only for exceptional cases; recognize power dynamics (high-standing accuser) and the need for safeguards.
Khanda Section: Rājadharma & Vyavahāra (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Ordeals—Divya)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judicial setting displaying five ordeals: a balance scale, a fire-pit, a water tank/river edge, a small poison vessel, and a koṣa apparatus/container—officials overseeing as the accused is tested in a grave case.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symbolic panel with five ordeal stations arranged around a central judge; stylized flames, rippling water, prominent balance; attendants holding ritual vessels; solemn faces, temple-like framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gilded depiction of the balance and fire altar; ornate vessels for water and poison; judge and priests with gold accents; symmetrical composition emphasizing the five divyas.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic layout—each ordeal labeled visually (scale, fire, water, poison cup, koṣa container); fine linework, calm palette, court officials demonstrating procedure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court scene with separate vignettes for each ordeal; meticulous objects (scales, brazier, tank, vial, chest); nobles indicating the ‘high-standing accuser’ presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tulāgnyāpo → tulā + agni + āpaḥ; mahābhiyogeṣvetāni → mahā-abhiyogeṣu + etāni; śīrṣakasthe 'bhiyoktari → śīrṣaka-sthe + abhiyoktari (’ = a-sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (Divya/ordeals within vyavahara)
FAQs
It lists the recognized legal “divya” (ordeals)—weighing, fire, water, poison, and the koṣa-ordeal—used as ritual-judicial tests to clear a person in serious accusations.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical governance material (rājadharma), including courtroom procedure and evidentiary methods like ordeals, reflecting its wide-ranging, compendious scope.
The ordeals are framed as “viśuddhi” (purification): passing them ritually restores moral and social purity, aiming to align judgment with dharma and reduce the karmic burden of false accusation or wrongful punishment.