Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 27
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
दत्वर्णं पाटयेल्लेख्यं शुद्ध्यै चान्यत्तु कारयेत् साक्षिमच्च भवेद्यत्तु तद्दातव्यं ससाक्षिकं
datvarṇaṃ pāṭayellekhyaṃ śuddhyai cānyattu kārayet sākṣimacca bhavedyattu taddātavyaṃ sasākṣikaṃ
Nachdem die fehlenden oder berichtigten Buchstaben ergänzt worden sind, soll man die schriftliche Urkunde verlesen lassen; und zur Richtigstellung soll man eine weitere, neue Urkunde anfertigen lassen. Und was durch Zeugen zu stützen ist, soll mit Zeugen ausgeführt und übergeben werden.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Courtroom handling of written instruments: correcting lacunae, public reading for verification, and re-issuing a clean deed with proper attestation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rectification and Re-issuance of Legal Documents with Witnesses","lookup_keywords":["lekhya","lekhyashuddhi","sाक्षि","document rectification","vyavahara procedure"],"quick_summary":"If a deed has missing/incorrect letters, supply the corrections, have it read aloud for verification, and prepare a fresh corrected document; transactions requiring proof must be executed and delivered with witnesses."}
Concept: Pramana (valid proof) through properly corrected writing and saksya (witness testimony).
Application: Maintain chain-of-custody and authenticity: corrections must be transparent, read out, and re-documented with attestation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra: legal procedure, documents, witnesses)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scribe inserts missing letters into a palm-leaf/copper-plate deed; the document is read aloud before the judge while witnesses stand by; a fresh clean copy is prepared and ceremonially handed over with witnesses present.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style courtroom scene: king-judge on a low throne, scribe with palm-leaf manuscript and stylus, witnesses with folded hands, warm earthy palette, clear gesture of reading aloud and re-writing the deed.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: ornate court with gold-leaf detailing on throne and arches; central focus on the deed being presented; witnesses flanking; rich reds and greens, stylized jewelry, embossed gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional emphasis—scribe correcting letters, second clean document beside; judge pointing to witnesses; delicate lines, muted colors, detailed manuscript tools (stylus, ink, palm leaves).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed diwān-i-ʿām style court; clerk reading a document, another copying; witnesses in varied attire; fine architectural background, precise facial expressions, emphasis on paperwork and seals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: datvarṇaṃ → datvā + arṇam; pāṭayel(lekhyaṃ) → pāṭayet + lekhyaṃ; cānyattu → ca + anyat + tu; sākṣimacca → sākṣimat + ca; bhavedyattu → bhavet + yat + tu; taddātavyaṃ → tat + dātavyam; sasākṣikaṃ → sa + sākṣikam (avyayībhāva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (Vyavahara: documents, witnesses, proof)
FAQs
It teaches documentary procedure: correcting a text (supplying missing letters), having the deed read aloud for verification, redrafting a clean copy for rectification, and executing deliverables in the presence of witnesses when witness-attestation is required.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical civil-administrative knowledge—how contracts/deeds are validated, corrected, and authenticated—showing the Purana’s coverage of Rajadharma and vyavahāra (legal governance).
By insisting on śuddhi (rectification) and sākṣya (witnessing), it promotes truthfulness and prevents fraudulent transfers—actions aligned with dharma that reduce harm and support righteous social order.