Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 16
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
यः कश्चिदर्थो ऽभिमतः स्वरुच्या तु परस्परं लेख्यं तु साक्षिमत् कार्यं तस्मिन् धनिकपूर्वकम्
yaḥ kaścidartho 'bhimataḥ svarucyā tu parasparaṃ lekhyaṃ tu sākṣimat kāryaṃ tasmin dhanikapūrvakam
Toute transaction conclue d’un commun accord selon la volonté des parties doit être consignée dans un écrit, appuyé par des témoins, et rédigé en présence du créancier.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s rajadharma/vyavahāra section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Contract documentation: for mutually agreed transactions, draft a written instrument attested by witnesses, executed in the presence of the creditor to prevent later disputes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Written Contract with Witnesses in the Creditor’s Presence","lookup_keywords":["lekhya","likhita","sākṣimat","ṛṇa","dhani"],"quick_summary":"Any mutually agreed transaction should be reduced to writing and supported by witnesses, prepared in the creditor’s presence—strengthening enforceability and reducing litigation."}
Concept: Vyavahāra is stabilized by lekhyapramāṇa (documentary proof) and sākṣya (attestation); dharma includes preventive governance.
Application: Use written contracts with witnesses for loans/sales/agreements; execute before the creditor (or principal) and preserve records for dispute resolution.
Khanda Section: Rajadharma & Vyavahara (Dharmaśāstra / Legal Procedure and Documentation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A transaction being formalized: debtor and creditor seated with a scribe drafting a document; witnesses observe and attest; the creditor’s presence is emphasized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, merchant-house or court office scene, scribe with palm-leaf and stylus, creditor seated prominently, witnesses standing in a row, warm ochres and reds, clear narrative composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly dressed creditor and debtor, gold-highlighted document scroll, witnesses with folded hands, ornate interior with pillars and gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional contract-making scene: scribe writing, witnesses signing/marking, creditor present, labeled objects (document, seal), fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed office with carpets and low desks, calligrapher writing the deed, witnesses leaning in, creditor supervising, delicate architectural background and border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: artho 'bhimataḥ = arthaḥ + abhimataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 254 (documents, witnesses, adjudication)
FAQs
It teaches vyavahāra-vidyā: formalizing any mutually agreed transaction through a written instrument (lekhya) attested by witnesses, made in the creditor’s presence for enforceability.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-law norms—how agreements, debt, and proof (pramāṇa) are secured through documents and witnesses—showing its wide coverage of governance and jurisprudence.
By insisting on transparent, witnessed documentation, it supports dharma in social dealings—reducing fraud and conflict, and encouraging truthful, accountable conduct that aligns with righteous livelihood.