Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 15
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
यथार्पितान् पशून् गोपोः सायं प्रत्यर्पयेत्तथा प्रमादमृतनष्टांश् च प्रदाप्यः कृतवेतनः
yathārpitān paśūn gopoḥ sāyaṃ pratyarpayettathā pramādamṛtanaṣṭāṃś ca pradāpyaḥ kṛtavetanaḥ
বেতন পোৱা গোপালে সন্ধিয়াত যিদৰে পশু অৰ্পণ কৰা হৈছিল সিদৰে উভতাই দিব। আৰু তাৰ অবহেলাত কোনো মৰে বা হেৰায়, তেন্তে বেতন পাইলেও ক্ষতিপূৰণ দিব লাগিব।
Lord Agni (instructional narration in Rajadharma sections, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Setting contractual duty and liability standards for hired herdsmen: return entrusted cattle intact; compensate losses caused by negligence even if wages were paid.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Hired herdsman’s duty: return entrusted cattle; compensate negligent loss","lookup_keywords":["gopa kṛta-vetana","yathārpita paśu","sāyaṃ pratyarpayet","pramāda-mṛta naṣṭa","pradāpyaḥ"],"quick_summary":"A paid herdsman must return the herd as received at day’s end. If death or loss occurs due to his negligence, he must compensate; wages do not cancel liability for fault."}
Concept: Bhṛtya-dharma and fiduciary responsibility: remuneration does not excuse negligence; trust (viśvāsa) requires restitution for harm caused.
Application: Used in adjudicating employer–servant disputes, setting standards for negligence, and encouraging careful animal husbandry.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Civil/Criminal Law; Duties and Liabilities)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Evening return of a herd: a hired herdsman counts and hands back cattle to the owner; a missing or dead animal is noted; a village elder/judge orders compensation for negligence despite wages paid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dusk-toned pastoral scene, herdsman leading cows to a cowshed, owner counting with a palm-leaf tally, elder indicating restitution, stylized trees and cattle with bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted cowshed and ornaments on cattle, herdsman presenting the herd, owner holding wage pouch, judge pointing to compensation ledger, ornate gold border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity with counting gestures, a scroll showing 'entrusted vs returned', depiction of negligence consequence, refined linework and muted palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pastoral village at sunset, herdsman returning cattle, accountant recording numbers, owner and arbitrator discussing compensation, naturalistic cattle anatomy and landscape depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथार्पितान् = यथा + अर्पितान्; प्रमादमृतनष्टांश् च = प्रमादमृतनष्टान् + च (श्-आदेशः); कृतवेतनः as bahuvrīhi compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (liability rules for cattle and keepers); Agni Purana Rajadharma on servants, wages, and penalties
FAQs
It teaches vyavahāra-nīti (practical legal procedure): a paid herdsman must return entrusted cattle intact and must compensate for losses caused by negligence.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied jurisprudence—rules of bailment, negligence, and restitution—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and civil law alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
It reinforces dharma in livelihood: faithful guardianship of others’ property and making restitution for negligent harm reduces adharma and upholds moral accountability.