Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 5
Chapter 231 — शकुनानि (Śakunāni) | Omens in Governance, Travel, and War
न्यसेद्रक्तं पुरस्ताच्च निवेदयति बन्धनं पीतं द्रव्यं तथा रुक्म रूप्यमेव तु भार्गव
nyasedraktaṃ purastācca nivedayati bandhanaṃ pītaṃ dravyaṃ tathā rukma rūpyameva tu bhārgava
হে ভার্গব! সে সামনে লাল চিহ্ন স্থাপন করবে এবং বন্ধন (অঙ্গীকার/গিরবি) জানাবে—অর্থাৎ পীত দ্ৰব্য, তথা স্বর্ণ ও রৌপ্যই।
Lord Agni (in dialogue, addressing Bhārgava)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Standardize legal procedure for pledges/deposits and evidentiary tokens (color-coded markers; declaration of pledged valuables like gold/silver) to reduce disputes and fraud.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nyāsa/bandhana declaration with red token; pledge of gold and silver","lookup_keywords":["nyasa","bandhana","rukma","rupya","evidence token"],"quick_summary":"In matters of pledge/deposit, a red marker is placed in front as a sign, and the pledge is formally declared—especially regarding yellow (gold) property, gold, and silver—supporting clear proof in litigation."}
Concept: Vyavahāra requires pramāṇa (proof) and saṃvid (clear declaration); dharma is upheld through transparent procedure.
Application: Use visible tokens and spoken declarations in contracts/pledges; keep witnesses and standardized markers to prevent later denial.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Law, litigation, evidence, pledges and deposits)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal pledge scene: a litigant places a red token before an official/witnesses and declares the pledged valuables—gold and silver—recorded by a scribe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, court-like pavilion with seated official, red token prominently placed on a low platform, witnesses in rows, scribe with palm-leaf, strong outlines and ceremonial symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly adorned official and ledger, gold-leaf emphasis on coins/jewelry (rukma), red token in foreground, ornate pillars, formal transaction mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, procedural clarity: token placement, verbal declaration, scribe recording, witnesses; fine linework, labeled objects, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtroom/merchant office, red token on carpet, gold and silver items displayed, scribe writing, nuanced faces, meticulous textiles and objects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nyasedraktaṃ = nyaset raktam; purastācca = purastāt ca; rūpyameva = rūpyam eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 231 (vyavahāra-related signs and procedures)
FAQs
It conveys a rule of legal procedure: in matters of pledge/security (bandhana), valuables—especially gold (pīta/rukma) and silver (rūpya)—should be formally declared, with a visible token/marker placed before the adjudicating party as part of establishing the claim.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical jurisprudence (vyavahāra): how pledges and precious metals are to be identified, presented, and recorded in disputes—showing its coverage of governance and civil law alongside ritual and philosophy.
By insisting on clear declaration and proper procedure in pledged-property matters, it supports dharma through truthfulness and non-fraud, reducing unjust gain and the karmic burden associated with deceit in transactions.