Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 23
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
एषामभावे पूवस्य धनभागुत्तरोत्तरः स्वर्यात्स्य ह्य् अपुत्रस्य सर्ववर्णेष्वयं विधिः
eṣāmabhāve pūvasya dhanabhāguttarottaraḥ svaryātsya hy aputrasya sarvavarṇeṣvayaṃ vidhiḥ
এয়াৰ অভাৱত, পূৰ্বোক্তৰ পাছৰ জনে ক্ৰমে ধন-ভাগ লাভ কৰে। পুত্ৰহীন পুৰুষৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত এই বিধি সকলো বৰ্ণত প্ৰযোজ্য।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Establishing the order of succession for a sonless man across varṇas; used by judges, family elders, and scribes to resolve inheritance disputes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Apūtrasya dāya-krama (Succession order when one dies sonless)","lookup_keywords":["aputra","dāya-bhāga","uttarottara","varṇa","vyavahāra"],"quick_summary":"If earlier heirs are absent, the next in the prescribed sequence inherits; the rule is stated as applicable across all varṇas for a sonless decedent."}
Concept: Dharma in property matters proceeds by a fixed hierarchy (krama) to prevent conflict; universality across varṇas is emphasized for this rule.
Application: Apply sequential succession: when a listed heir is absent, move to the next eligible claimant without skipping the order.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Daya-bhaga / Inheritance Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court or village assembly where a judge/king’s officer consults a succession order scroll, pointing from one heir category to the next, indicating ‘in absence of the former, the next inherits’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, dharma-sabhā scene with a rājā or nyāya-adhikārī holding palm-leaf manuscript, attendants and disputing relatives in orderly rows, emphasis on didactic gesture showing succession sequence, ornate pillars and borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated king-judge with gold-highlighted throne, a scribe with manuscript of dāya-krama, heirs standing in graded order, rich jewel tones, embossed gold on crown and manuscript edges","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional court scene: judge, scribe, and a chart-like depiction of heir order, soft colors, fine outlines, calm expressions, emphasis on procedural clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtroom with carpets and arches, qāḍī-like dharma-judge and Hindu paṇḍit consulting a scroll, heirs arranged by rank, meticulous textiles and facial detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एषामभावे→एषाम् + अभावे; धनभागुत्तरोत्तरः→धन-भागः + उत्तर-उत्तरः; स्वर्यात्स्य→स्वर्यात् + स्यात्; ह्य्→हि; सर्ववर्णेष्वयं→सर्ववर्णेषु + अयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (dāya-bhāga and heir lists preceding this verse)
FAQs
It imparts legal procedure (vyavahāra-vidhi) for inheritance: when specified heirs are absent, succession passes sequentially to the next eligible claimant.
It shows the text functioning as a dharma-and-governance manual by codifying practical civil law—property succession—alongside its ritual and theological materials.
By prescribing an orderly, dharma-based transfer of wealth for a sonless person, it aims to prevent dispute (adharma) and uphold social harmony, which is treated as a merit-bearing support of dharma.