Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 16
Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters (सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः)
पालदोषविनाशे तु पाले दण्डो विधीयते अर्धत्रयोदशपणः स्वामिनो द्रव्यमेव च
pāladoṣavināśe tu pāle daṇḍo vidhīyate ardhatrayodaśapaṇaḥ svāmino dravyameva ca
But when the loss or damage is due to the keeper’s negligence, a penalty is prescribed for the keeper: a fine of twelve and a half paṇas, and, in addition, the owner’s property itself must be restored.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Fixes liability and quantum of fine in bailment/guardianship cases: when loss occurs due to a keeper’s negligence, the keeper pays a specified monetary penalty and must restore the owner’s goods.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Keeper’s Negligence: Fine and Restitution (Pāla-doṣa)","lookup_keywords":["pāla-doṣa","daṇḍa","paṇa fine","bailment liability","restitution"],"quick_summary":"If loss/damage is caused by the custodian’s negligence, the custodian is fined (12½ paṇas) and must also restore the owner’s property/value. This sets a clear deterrent and a restitution-first rule."}
Concept: Negligence creates culpability; justice requires both punishment and restoration of the harmed party.
Application: Use in adjudicating custody/warehouse/keeper disputes: determine fault, impose fine, and ensure restitution to the owner.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Law, Governance, Judicial Penalties)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village court scene: a keeper stands before the judge; the owner points to damaged/missing goods; a scribe records the fine in paṇas; restitution of the goods is ordered.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, stylized faces; a dharmic court with a seated raja-judge, palm-leaf ledger, keeper accused of negligence, owner presenting a bundle of goods; traditional ornaments and architectural pillars.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; royal judge on a throne, attendants holding coin-tray of paṇas, the keeper offering restitution goods to the owner; rich textiles, halo-like aureoles, ornate court setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading; instructional courtroom tableau with labeled objects (goods, coin measure), scribe writing the penalty, calm didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court interior; qazi-like judge and clerks, the keeper fined, coins counted, goods returned; intricate carpets, realistic gestures, marginal floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पालदोषविनाशे = पाल-दोष-विनाशे; अर्धत्रयोदशपणः = अर्ध-त्रयोदश-पणः; द्रव्यमेव = द्रव्यम् + एव
Related Themes: Agni Purana 256 (Rajadharma & Vyavahara: fines, theft, recovery)
FAQs
It gives a rule of vyavahāra (practical law): if loss occurs due to a custodian’s negligence, the custodian is fined (12½ paṇas) and must restore the owner’s property.
Beyond ritual and theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves daṇḍanīti and civil liability norms—showing it functions as a compendium that includes governance, judicial procedure, and economic penalties.
It reinforces dharma through accountability: negligence that harms another’s property incurs both restitution and punishment, aligning social order with karmic responsibility and ethical conduct.