Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 24
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
लिङ्गस्य च्छेदने मृत्तौ मध्यमो मूल्यमेव च महापशूनामेतेषु स्थानेषु द्विगुणा दमाः
liṅgasya cchedane mṛttau madhyamo mūlyameva ca mahāpaśūnāmeteṣu sthāneṣu dviguṇā damāḥ
লিঙ্গচ্ছেদ ও মৃত্যুর ক্ষেত্রে মধ্যম শ্রেণির দণ্ড প্রযোজ্য, এবং পূর্ণ মূল্য ক্ষতিপূরণও দিতে হয়; এই অবস্থাগুলিতে মহাপশুর জন্য দণ্ড দ্বিগুণ হয়।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महापशूनामेतेषु = महापशूनाम् एतेषु; च्छेदने = छेदने (orthographic doubling after preceding consonant in Devanagari).
FAQs
It gives a technical rule of vyavahāra (jurisprudence): the applicable fine grade (madhyama-dama), compensation by assessed value (mūlya), and a doubling of fines when the harmed property is major livestock (mahāpaśu).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical statecraft—codifying punishments, compensation standards, and property valuation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance and legal administration alongside ritual and spiritual topics.
By prescribing proportional penalties and restitution, it upholds dharma through deterrence and repair of harm, emphasizing accountability for violence and protection of life and valuable property.