Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 61
वाक्पारुष्यादिप्रकरणम्
The Topic of Verbal Abuse and Related Offences
पञ्चग्रामी वहिः क्रोशाद्दशग्राम्यअथ वा पुनः वन्दिग्राहांस् तथा वाजिकुञ्जराणाञ्च हारिणः
pañcagrāmī vahiḥ krośāddaśagrāmyaatha vā punaḥ vandigrāhāṃs tathā vājikuñjarāṇāñca hāriṇaḥ
Außerhalb der Siedlung, innerhalb der Reichweite eines krośa, bestelle man einen ‘pañcagrāmī’ (Beamten über fünf Dörfer) oder wiederum einen ‘daśagrāmya’ (Beamten über zehn Dörfer), um Entführer/Verschlepper zu ergreifen, ebenso wie die Diebe von Pferden und Elefanten.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s rajadharma material to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Territorial policing and administrative zoning: appoint officers over clusters of villages within a krosha radius to apprehend abductors and specialized livestock/war-animal thieves (horse/elephant).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rural Police Administration: Pañcagrāmī/Daśagrāmya and Target Offences","lookup_keywords":["pancagrami","dashagramya","krosha","vandi-graha (kidnapping)","vaji-kunjara-harana (horse/elephant theft)"],"quick_summary":"Create intermediate rural officers (over five or ten villages) within a defined radius to capture abductors and thieves of strategic animals like horses and elephants."}
Concept: Statecraft requires layered administration and protection of strategic resources; security is organized by measurable space and delegated authority.
Application: Design a tiered rural policing structure with defined patrol radii; prioritize protection of high-value assets and vulnerable persons (kidnapping prevention).
Khanda Section: Rajadharma / Dandaniti (Governance, policing, and territorial administration)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Administrative patrol zone
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A map-like rural scene: clusters of five and ten villages with appointed officers; patrols outside the settlement; guards intercept abductors; separate vignette of horse and elephant thieves being seized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: panoramic countryside with repeated village motifs; an officer with insignia stands at a crossroads; guards restrain a kidnapper; a horse and elephant shown as royal assets; bold outlines, narrative sequencing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: officer appointment scene—king confers a staff/seal to pañcagrāmī; gold detailing on insignia; side panel shows captured horse thief; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional administrative diagram style—five-village and ten-village clusters indicated; krośa radius marked; small scenes of apprehension; clean composition and fine brushwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed rural patrol with mounted guards, an elephant in the background, a stolen horse being recovered; lively action with landscape depth and architectural village details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्रोशाद्दशग्राम्यः = क्रोशात् + दशग्राम्यः; दशग्राम्यअथ = दशग्राम्यः + अथ; वाजिकुञ्जराणाञ्च = वाजि(णाम्) + कुञ्जराणाम् + च (genitives coordinated).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 257 (officer roles; policing; theft categories)
FAQs
It imparts administrative-police procedure: appointing territorial officers (over five or ten villages) responsible for patrolling the outer perimeter and apprehending abductors and thieves of high-value assets like horses and elephants.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical statecraft—jurisdictional zoning, patrol radius (krośa), and crime categories—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of governance (dandanīti) alongside ritual and doctrine.
Protecting subjects from abduction and theft is part of righteous kingship (rajadharma); maintaining safety and order supports dharma in society and accrues merit to rulers and officials who uphold justice.