Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 30
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
नासहस्राद्धरेत् फालं न तुलान्न विषन्तथा नृपार्थेष्वभियोगेषु वहेयुः शुचयः सदा
nāsahasrāddharet phālaṃ na tulānna viṣantathā nṛpārtheṣvabhiyogeṣu vaheyuḥ śucayaḥ sadā
One should not accept a ploughshare even worth a thousand, nor a balance for weighing, nor likewise poison. In accusations and litigations concerning the king’s interests, the pure should always bear their duty with integrity.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s rajadharma discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Judicial ethics in royal-interest cases: prohibition on accepting inducements (valuable ploughshare, balance, poison) and insistence that the ‘pure’ uphold duty without corruption.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Judicial Integrity in Royal Litigation (Anti-Bribery Rule)","lookup_keywords":["nṛpārtha","abhiyoga","śuci","grahaṇa-niṣedha","bribery"],"quick_summary":"In cases touching the king’s interests, officials/witnesses must not accept instruments or valuables that could bias ordeals or evidence; the upright must carry out duty with constant integrity."}
Concept: Śauca (purity) as ethical incorruptibility in public duty, especially where royal interest magnifies temptation and consequence.
Application: Conflict-of-interest control: refuse gifts/tools that could influence weighing/ordeal/evidence; maintain transparent conduct in state cases.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma (Governance, Law, and Judicial Ethics)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A judge or court official refuses offered items—a costly ploughshare, a balance scale, and a poison vial—while presiding over a case involving the king; upright witnesses stand firm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: official with raised palm (refusal gesture), petitioner holding ploughshare and scale, poison vessel kept aside; attendants and witnesses; subdued, ethical mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted court; rejected gifts placed on a tray; central figure of the judge with authoritative मुद्रा; rich ornamentation emphasizing temptation vs dharma.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional tableau—three prohibited items depicted prominently; judge pointing to rules; neat composition, fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: bribery-refusal scene in a royal court; petitioner presenting objects, judge declining; scribe recording; detailed objects and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nāsahasrād(dharet) → na + a-sahasrāt + haret; tulānna → tulāt + na; nṛpārtheṣvabhiyogeṣu → nṛpa-artheṣu + abhiyogeṣu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (royal litigation, ordeals, officials’ conduct)
FAQs
It teaches judicial-administrative discipline: officials/witnesses in royal prosecutions must refuse inducements (valuable goods, instruments of assessment, or harmful means) and uphold purity and impartial conduct.
It shows the Agni Purana’s coverage of rajadharma—practical governance and courtroom ethics—alongside its ritual, theological, and technical subjects, functioning as a compendium of statecraft and law.
Refusing bribes and avoiding harm in state disputes preserves śauca (purity) and dharma; integrity in public justice is treated as a meritorious safeguard against sin arising from false judgment and corruption.