Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 1
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे दिव्यानि प्रमाणानि नाम चतुःपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः दायविभागकथनम् अग्निर् उवाच विभागञ्चेत् पिता कुर्यादिच्छया विभजेत् सुतान् ज्येष्ठं वा श्रेष्ठभागेन सर्वे वा स्युः समांशिनः
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe divyāni pramāṇāni nāma catuḥpañcāśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcapañcāśadadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ dāyavibhāgakathanam agnir uvāca vibhāgañcet pitā kuryādicchayā vibhajet sutān jyeṣṭhaṃ vā śreṣṭhabhāgena sarve vā syuḥ samāṃśinaḥ
এইভাবে অগ্নি মহাপুরাণে ‘দিব্য প্রমাণ’ নামক দুই শত চুয়ান্নতম অধ্যায় সমাপ্ত হল। এখন দুই শত পঞ্চান্নতম অধ্যায়—‘দায়বিভাগের বিবরণ’ আরম্ভ। অগ্নি বললেন: পিতা যদি বিভাগ করেন, তবে তিনি ইচ্ছামতো পুত্রদের ভাগ দিতে পারেন—জ্যেষ্ঠকে শ্রেষ্ঠ ভাগ দিতে পারেন, অথবা সকলকে সমান অংশীদার করতে পারেন।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Inheritance and partition rule: a father may partition property by choice—either giving the eldest a superior share or making all sons equal co-sharers; also marks chapter transition from ordeals to dāya-vibhāga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Dāya-vibhāga: father’s discretion in partition (eldest preference or equal shares)","lookup_keywords":["dāya-vibhāga","vibhāga","pitr-icchā","jyeṣṭha-bhāga","samāṃśa"],"quick_summary":"In partition made by the father, he may allocate a preferential share to the eldest or distribute equally among all sons—establishing a key rule for inheritance administration."}
Concept: Gṛhastha-dharma includes orderly transmission of property; paternal authority is balanced with norms of equity and primogeniture options.
Application: For family governance: document partition clearly; choose either equal division or justified preferential allotment to the eldest to prevent later disputes.
Khanda Section: Dharma-śāstra / Rāja-dharma (Inheritance and Partition Law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A father formally divides ancestral property among sons: either giving the eldest a larger portion or distributing equal shares, with witnesses and written record.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic hall with father seated, sons in a row, piles of grain/coins symbolizing shares, witnesses with palm-leaf documents, serene dharmic mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, father as central figure with gold-ornamented seat, sons receiving measured portions, gold leaf on coins and vessels, auspicious household setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of partition: equal piles vs a larger eldest pile, measuring rods and account scrolls, fine linework and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed household-court scene with scribes, measured distribution of valuables, architectural interior, nuanced expressions of acceptance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; 'अध्यायः' in text shows 'ऽध्यायः' = अध्यायः with avagraha; अग्निर् → अग्निः; विभागञ्चेत् → विभागम् + चेत्; कुर्यादिच्छया → कुर्यात् + इच्छया; तत्स्नानोदक... not in this verse; समांशिनः → सम-अंशिनः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (Dāya-vibhāga section begins); Agni Purana 254 (preceding chapter: divya-pramāṇa)
FAQs
It imparts dharmaśāstric legal guidance on dāya-vibhāga (partition of inheritance): a father may apportion shares at his discretion, either granting the eldest a superior share or distributing equally among all sons.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium beyond mythology—preserving practical norms of governance and civil law (succession and partition), alongside ritual, cosmology, and other sciences.
By prescribing orderly and dharmic partition, it promotes household harmony and reduces conflict-driven adharma; fair division is treated as a righteous act that supports social stability and the family’s ethical merit.