Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 25
Chapter 253 — व्यवहारकथनम्
The Account of Legal Procedure
व्यसनस्थमनाख्याय हस्ते ऽन्यस्य यदर्पयेत् द्रव्यं तदौपनिधिकं प्रतिदेयं तथैव तत्
vyasanasthamanākhyāya haste 'nyasya yadarpayet dravyaṃ tadaupanidhikaṃ pratideyaṃ tathaiva tat
Si une personne en détresse, sans en déclarer les détails, remet un bien entre les mains d’autrui, ce bien est tenu pour aupanidhika (dépôt scellé/non divulgué) et doit être restitué exactement dans le même état.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vashistha, traditional Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Defines aupanidhika (undisclosed/sealed deposit) and mandates return in the same condition; used to adjudicate deposit disputes and liability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Aupanidhika Nyāsa (Undisclosed/Sealed Deposit)","lookup_keywords":["aupanidhika","nyāsa","deposit law","vyasana","return in same condition"],"quick_summary":"Property entrusted in distress without disclosure is treated as a sealed/undisclosed deposit and must be returned exactly as received, protecting the depositor from misuse or substitution."}
Concept: Fiduciary duty and inviolability of entrusted property, especially when the owner is vulnerable (vyasana).
Application: In custody/bailee cases: classify the deposit as aupanidhika when undisclosed; require restitution in specie (same item), not merely equivalent value.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharma-shastra / Legal procedure and property law)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A distressed traveler discreetly hands a wrapped bundle to a householder without explanation; later the same sealed bundle is returned unopened before elders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized traveler with bundle, householder receiving with both hands, later return scene with village elders, warm ochres, clear gestures of trust","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on the sealed casket/bundle, dignified figures, emphasis on the intact seal, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic two-panel composition: 'deposit' and 'return', fine outlines, readable seals/cords on the bundle","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior, detailed textiles, sealed parcel with wax/cord, elders witnessing restitution"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vyasanasthamanākhyāya = vyasana-stham + anākhyāya; haste 'nyasya = haste + anyasya; yadarpayet = yat + arpayet; tadaupanidhikaṃ = tat + aupanidhikam; tathaiva = tathā + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 253.26-27 (liability, theft, misappropriation of deposits)
FAQs
It defines the legal category of an aupanidhika (undisclosed/secret deposit) and states the practical rule: such entrusted property must be returned exactly as received.
Beyond theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves dharma-shastra style civil law—here, rules of deposit/bailment and restitution—showing its coverage of governance and jurisprudence.
Upholding trust by returning entrusted goods intact is treated as dharma; violating it incurs moral fault, while faithful restitution supports social order and personal merit.