Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 34
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिरभियुक्तस्तुलाश्रितः प्रतिमानसमीभूतो रेखां कृत्वावतारितः
tulādhāraṇavidvadbhirabhiyuktastulāśritaḥ pratimānasamībhūto rekhāṃ kṛtvāvatāritaḥ
Dann steigt der Geprüfte, von Sachkundigen im Wägeritus unterwiesen, auf die Waage; nachdem er dem Normgewicht gleichgestellt worden ist, zieht man eine Markierung (Linie) und lässt ihn wieder herabsteigen.
Lord Agni (in dialogue form of the Agni Purana, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Operational steps of the balance-ordeal: supervised mounting, equalizing to a standard weight, marking the reference line, and lowering—creating a repeatable protocol for later comparison.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tulā-divya procedure: mounting, equalizing, marking, descent","lookup_keywords":["tulā-dhāraṇa","pratimāna","rekhā","abhiyukta","tulā-śrita"],"quick_summary":"Experts conduct the weighing-rite by placing the accused on the scale, balancing to a standard weight, drawing a reference mark, and bringing him down for subsequent verification."}
Concept: Truth-testing is procedural and replicable: standardization (pratimāna) and documentation (rekhā) are essential to fairness.
Application: Creating auditable legal processes: baseline measurement, marking, and controlled repetition to reduce arbitrariness.
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra (Prayashchitta and judicial-ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close procedural scene: experts adjust a large balance; the accused stands on the pan; a standard weight is matched; a scribe draws a line mark on a post/beam; attendants lower the accused carefully.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, strong contour lines, large ceremonial balance with carved beam, experts in white dhoti guiding the accused onto the pan, a clear red rekhā mark on a pillar, restrained palette conveying solemn procedure","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on the balance beam and weights, the rekhā mark highlighted, experts and scribe arranged symmetrically, ornate court backdrop, emphasis on the sacredness of measurement","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style technical illustration feel, precise depiction of scale, standard weights, and the marking step, calm faces, clear spatial layout for instructional readability","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature with meticulous mechanical detail of the balance, attendants adjusting weights, a clerk drawing the line mark, patterned textiles and court architecture framing the scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिरभियुक्तः = तुलाधारणविद्वद्भिः + अभियुक्तः; तुलाश्रितः = तुला + आश्रितः; रेखां कृत्वावतारितः = रेखाम् + कृत्वा + अवतारितः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254.33 (who receives tulā ordeal); Agni Purana 254.36 (invocation to the balance)
FAQs
It gives a procedural step of the tulā-dhāraṇa (weighing) rite: the examinee is placed on the balance, equalized against a standard weight, a reference mark is drawn for record/comparison, and then the person is lowered.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical Dharma-shastra-style protocol—using measurement, standardization (pratimāna), and documentation (rekhā)—showing the text’s coverage of ritual-legal techniques alongside theology.
By prescribing a controlled, witness-based procedure, it frames the act as a dharmic test/expiatory method meant to establish truth and reduce the karmic burden associated with accusation, uncertainty, or ritual impurity.