Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 26
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
लेख्यस्य पृष्ठे ऽभिलिखेत् प्रविष्टमधमर्णिनः धनी चोपगतं दद्यात् स्वहस्तपरिचिह्नितम्
lekhyasya pṛṣṭhe 'bhilikhet praviṣṭamadhamarṇinaḥ dhanī copagataṃ dadyāt svahastaparicihnitam
En el reverso de la escritura debe anotarse el asiento (esto es, el pago o la liquidación) hecho por el deudor; y el acreedor, al recibir el pago, debe entregar un recibo marcado de su propia mano (firma o señal manual).
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in rajadharma/vyavahāra topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Settlement recording and receipt practice: endorsing payment on the deed’s reverse and issuing a signed receipt to prevent future disputes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pṛṣṭha-lekhana (Endorsement) and Svahasta-paricihna Receipt","lookup_keywords":["lekhya prishtha","abhilikhet","adhamarna","dhani receipt","svahasta paricihna"],"quick_summary":"Record repayment/settlement on the back of the deed by the debtor, and the creditor should give a signed/hand-marked receipt upon receiving payment. This creates a clear audit trail for closure of obligations."}
Concept: Transparency and closure in transactions are dharmic; proper records prevent future conflict and false claims.
Application: Always endorse settlement on the original instrument and obtain a signed receipt; preserve both as final proof of discharge.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra: legal procedure, documents, debt)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A debtor pays the creditor; the debtor writes an endorsement on the back of the deed while the creditor issues a signed receipt; a scribe and witnesses observe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, transactional scene with palm-leaf deed turned over for pṛṣṭha-lekhana, creditor giving a receipt with hand-mark, warm tones, stylized hands emphasizing writing and exchange.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, repayment ceremony with gold accents, deed shown front and back, creditor’s svahasta mark highlighted, auspicious lamps framing the scene to signify completion.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step instructional depiction: (1) payment, (2) endorsement on reverse, (3) receipt issuance with signature/hand-mark; neat composition and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, merchant-office setting with ledger and deed, debtor writing on the reverse, creditor stamping/signing receipt, intricate textiles and realistic objects (coins, inkstand, pen)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृष्ठे ऽभिलिखेत् = पृष्ठे + अभिलिखेत्; प्रविष्टमधमर्णिनः = प्रविष्टम् + अधमर्णिनः; चोपगतं = च + उपगतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (ṛṇa-vyavahāra, lekhya maintenance, pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It teaches vyavahāra-vidhi (legal procedure): record repayment/settlement on the back of the deed and require a creditor-issued receipt signed with the creditor’s own hand-mark.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-law norms—documentation, receipts, and evidentiary practice—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence alongside spiritual instruction.
Accurate documentation supports satya (truthfulness) and nyāya (justice), reducing disputes and harm; honoring debts and recording settlements is treated as dharmic conduct that sustains social order.