Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 40
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
सम्भूय कुर्वतामर्घं सबाधं कारुशिल्पिनां अर्थस्य ह्रासः वृद्धिं वा सहस्रो दण्ड उच्यते
sambhūya kurvatāmarghaṃ sabādhaṃ kāruśilpināṃ arthasya hrāsaḥ vṛddhiṃ vā sahasro daṇḍa ucyate
কারু ও শিল্পীরা একত্রে বাধাদানকারী/চাপসৃষ্টিকারীভাবে মূল্য স্থির করে যদি দ্রব্যের মূল্যে ক্ষতি বা অযথা বৃদ্ধি ঘটায়, তবে এক হাজার পণ দণ্ড বিধেয়।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Anti-cartel enforcement: penalize collusive price-fixing by artisan guilds that coerces the market and causes artificial loss or inflation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Penalty for coercive collusive price-fixing by artisans","lookup_keywords":["kāru","śilpin","sambhūya","argha","sahasra-daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"If craftsmen act together to fix prices in an obstructive/coercive way, causing loss or undue rise in value, the fine is 1000 paṇas. The rule targets cartel behavior and market manipulation."}
Concept: Rājā as market-balancer: preventing saṅgha-bala (group coercion) from harming common welfare.
Application: Monitor guild agreements, investigate sudden price spikes, and impose exemplary fines to restore fair competition.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Governance, Law, and Penal Codes)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A group of artisans meet secretly to set a coercive price; later, a royal officer confronts them in the workshop and announces a 1000-paṇa fine as affected buyers protest.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, workshop scene with carpenters/metalworkers in a huddle, then an official entering with attendants, expressive gestures, palm-leaf record, muted reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, king’s court scene: artisans presented as a group, gold-highlighted coin heaps symbolizing the sahasra fine, ornate pillars and arch, strong frontal composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, procedural depiction: artisans’ agreement, price board, official inquiry with witnesses, emphasis on tools and trade goods, fine recorded by scribe.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier with tools, textiles, metalwork; officials interrogate artisans; townspeople in background; fine and decree shown in a scroll-like cartouche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्वतामर्घं → कुर्वताम् + अर्घम्; सबाधं → स-बाधम्; कारुशिल्पिनां → कारु-शिल्पिनाम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (pricing, trade regulation, penalties)
FAQs
It imparts legal-administrative knowledge (vyavahāra/daṇḍanīti): collusive price-fixing by artisan groups that causes artificial loss or inflation is punishable by a fixed fine (one thousand).
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana also codifies practical governance—market regulation, economic offences, and standardized fines—showing its coverage of statecraft and civil law.
By restraining coercive collusion and unjust pricing, the verse upholds dharma in livelihood and commerce; fair exchange reduces harm to society and supports righteous governance, which is treated as merit-bearing conduct.