Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 28
Chapter 255: दायविभागकथनम्
On the Division of Inheritance
औरसाः क्षेत्रजास्त्वेषां निर्दोषा भागहारिणः सुताश् चैषां प्रभर्तव्या यावद्वै भर्तृसात्कृताः
aurasāḥ kṣetrajāstveṣāṃ nirdoṣā bhāgahāriṇaḥ sutāś caiṣāṃ prabhartavyā yāvadvai bhartṛsātkṛtāḥ
Of these, the legitimate (aurasa) sons and the kṣetrajā sons are faultless and entitled to a share of the inheritance. Their sons too are to be maintained, so long as they remain under the protection and acknowledged authority of the husband (head of the family).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, continuing the dharma-legal instruction of the chapter)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Determining legitimate heirs (aurasa, kṣetrajā) and defining maintenance obligations for their descendants under household authority.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aurasa & Kṣetrajā: entitlement to inheritance and maintenance","lookup_keywords":["aurasa","kshetraja","bhagaharina","prabhartavya","legitimacy of sons"],"quick_summary":"Legitimate and kṣetrajā sons are treated as faultless heirs; their children are maintained while they remain under the recognized protection/authority of the household head."}
Concept: Putra-bheda (types of sons) governs inheritance; social legitimacy is maintained through recognized guardianship and household acknowledgment.
Application: In disputes, classify son-status first; then apply share and maintenance rules conditioned on continued household affiliation.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Dharmashastra (Inheritance and legitimacy of sons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: dharmic (niyama-bhava)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lineage-focused scene: a householder acknowledges two sons (aurasa and kṣetrajā) before elders and a scribe, while grandchildren stand nearby, indicating continued maintenance under the family’s protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized family assembly, householder with sacred thread, two sons presented with respectful gestures, grandchildren at side, palm-leaf record, warm earthy tones, emphasis on dharma and lineage","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central patriarch with gold embellishments, two sons symmetrically placed, grandchildren below, ornate arch and jewelry, symbolic ledger and gift cloths, rich gold highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic composition labeling roles (patriarch, sons, grandchildren), fine outlines, subdued colors, focus on recognition/authority gesture (abhaya/varada-like hand)","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed household court with genealogical scroll, two sons standing in attendance, children behind, elders witnessing, refined textiles and architectural depth"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्षेत्रजाः+तु+एषाम् → क्षेत्रजास्त्वेषाम्; सुताः+च+एषाम् → सुताश् चैषाम्; भर्तृसात्+कृताः → भर्तृसात्कृताः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 255 (putra-bheda, partition, maintenance)
FAQs
It states a dharma-legal rule: aurasa and kṣetrajā sons are considered legally unobjectionable and may inherit; their dependents are to be maintained while they remain under the householder’s acknowledged authority.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves normative social jurisprudence—classification of sons, legitimacy, inheritance entitlement, and maintenance—showing its coverage of Rajadharma and practical civil law.
By upholding rightful maintenance and inheritance for recognized heirs, the householder avoids adharma (injustice) and the karmic fault of denying dependents, supporting social stability and righteous household conduct.