Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 19
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
गोप्याधिभोग्यो नावृद्धिः सोपकारे ऽथ भाविते नष्टो देयो विनष्टश् च दैवराजकृतादृते
gopyādhibhogyo nāvṛddhiḥ sopakāre 'tha bhāvite naṣṭo deyo vinaṣṭaś ca daivarājakṛtādṛte
A pledge or deposited article that must be kept concealed and not enjoyed yields no increase (interest). But if it is employed for gain, then even if it is lost it must be made good, and even if it is destroyed it must be compensated—except where the loss is due to an act of God or to the king’s act (state action).
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in dharma-śāstra style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Rules for deposits/pledges: when interest is due, when the holder must compensate loss, and when liability is excused due to force majeure or state action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Gopya-Ādhi (Concealed Pledge/Deposit) and Liability for Loss","lookup_keywords":["gopya-adhi","deposit liability","interest on pledge","daiva loss","rajakrita loss"],"quick_summary":"A concealed pledge/deposit not meant for enjoyment yields no increase; if the holder uses it for profit, they must compensate loss or destruction, except when caused by act of God or the king/state."}
Concept: Bhoga (use) creates responsibility; non-use limits claims; daiva and rājya acts limit human liability.
Application: Drafting/deciding disputes on bailment: distinguish safekeeping vs profit-use; apply force-majeure and state-action exceptions.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Legal Procedure; Property, Deposits, and Loss)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A creditor holds a sealed bundle (concealed pledge) in a strongbox; beside it a ledger shows 'no interest'. In another vignette the same pledge is used in trade and later lost in a storm; a judge indicates compensation, with an exception sign for 'daiva/raja'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style courtroom scene: dharmadhikari judge on a wooden seat, creditor with a sealed cloth bundle and palm-leaf ledger, symbols of storm (daiva) and royal edict (raja) as exemption emblems, earthy reds and greens, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: ornate court with gold-leaf highlights on the judge’s throne and ledger borders, creditor presenting a concealed pledge bundle, separate panel showing trade-use and loss, inscription-like labels for 'bhoga' and 'daiva/raja'","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional legal tableau with clear gestures—judge pointing to rules, creditor holding pledge, merchant scale indicating profit-use, storm cloud icon for act of God, clean lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed bazaar-court setting, creditor’s strongbox, fine calligraphic ledger, storm at horizon, royal officer with seal indicating state action, naturalistic faces and textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोपकारेऽथ = स-उपकारे + अथ; विनष्टश् च = विनष्टः + च; दैवराजकृतादृते = दैव-राज-कृतात् + ऋते; compound ādhibhogyaḥ resolved as आधि-भोग्यः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253 (Vyavahara: debts, pledges, surety)
FAQs
It gives a legal rule of vyavahāra: a concealed deposit/pledge should not be exploited for gain; if the holder uses it for profit, they bear liability to compensate even if it is later lost or destroyed, except for force majeure (daiva) or state action (rāja-kṛta).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-law norms—covering contracts, pledges, and exceptions to liability—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside ritual and cosmology.
It reinforces dharma in economic conduct: avoiding unjust enrichment and honoring trust (deposit/pledge) are treated as righteous duties, while misuse creates moral accountability unless the loss is genuinely beyond human control.